Classically Coco

Everyday I see things that inspire me. This is a place where I can share my inspirations and find new things to fall in love with.

[classicallycoco]

10 Tips for Moving to a Big City

1. Don't Give Up

After I studied abroad in London in the Summer of 2012, I made it a dream, a goal, a mission, if you will, to get a job and move back. Searching for jobs/internships can be incredibly daunting and there may be times you want to give up. But remember, if you keep moving forward, have faith in yourself and continue to get your name out there - you WILL get something. Just DON'T GIVE UP.

2. No Guts, No Glory

I personally think it's really easy to have doubts about yourself, your abilities, and oftentimes you may call into question if you are doing the right thing or headed in the right direction. My mom has always told me "no guts, no glory," meaning - if you don't have the guts to do something, you'll never have the satisfaction of succeeding. If you want to move to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, London, WHEREVER - GO FOR IT. In the simplest terms, do not be afraid of it not working out, rather, be excited and do everything you can to make it work out. Yes, it will be scary and challenging and it will test your limits - but that is what makes it exciting. Do not hold back. We are given a special chance in our 20's that we may never get again and that is the luxury of adventure. No strings attached. Live for the thrill of it.

3. Budget Yourself

Most young 20-somethings, myself included, are not personally "well off" in terms of money, which is OK because it's all part of the challenge and adventure of figuring it out. Moving to any big city is going to be expensive and it's important to budget your money before you go and whilst you're there. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can save up enough before you move to your big city and then find a job once you get there. Here's where practicality plays a role in the dreams that we have - Rent, Food, Travel expenses, the overall cost of moving, frivolous money to have fun with, deposits, etc... It all adds up and without a smart budget you will be moving back home quickly or not moving at all. When I was in London I had a very low paying internship and it was a very challenging situation. I didn't have time to save up before I left because I got the job so abruptly, but I went anyways, still had a blast and managed to figure it out. You will too.

4. Map Out Where To Live

It's great to have friends in the city you want to move to as you can stay with them while you are sorting out where to live and such. But for those of you who don't, it's important to map out where to live. Some key things to think of here are: proximity to transportation - the bus, the metro, the tube, etc. It's really nice to live within walking distance to transportation because it obviously makes it easier to explore the city and get to where you need to be! As always, live in as safe of an area as you can afford. Try to find an area with great restaurants, nightlife and a crowd your age. Try to choose a place that sparks your interest. I realize being on a budget, it is really hard to "choose" where to live, but if you can live somewhere with at least ONE thing you like, then it will be better in the long run until you can afford to live somewhere that has LOTS of aspects you like. You are probably going to have to have a roommate (or 5) and it will be crammed but that's ok! Check out www.spareroom.com - it's a great website to find roommates in London and New York. There are several other roommate websites floating around as well - just Google.

5. Branch Out

I think a big problem with 20-somethings that move to big cities is establishing close-knit relationships and making friends. It can be confusing because you most likely left a place where you had loads of friends, a nice social life and you were happy and you now are feeling lonely and bored because you obviously aren't going to go out alone. I have personally struggled with this and I was lucky to have made friends with the girls I worked with but it was hard to find friends outside of that. Utilize meet up groups and see if your college has an Alumni Association in the city you live in. Join an intramural group, volunteer at one of your favorite museums, check Facebook for any events going on in your city that you can attend just to meet some people. I know it sounds crazy and I have grappled with it too, but I really think it is worth it just to put yourself out there! Like I said before, No guts, No Glory!

6. Don't Compare Yourself to Others

Social Media is everything these days and it's really easy to see someone post a picture of themselves at party looking like they're having the most FABULOUS time, while you are new to a city, totally lonely, sitting in your flat or apartment on a Saturday night hating your life. OK that's a bit dramatic, but you get the gist. We've all been guilty of comparing ourselves to others and I think it's really important to keep an open mind when you move to a big city and create your own path. It all goes back to getting yourself out there. It can be terrifying putting yourself out there, but if you do you'll be the one posting super fun pictures of yourself and all your new gal pals on Facebook and Instagram and someone will be out there looking and hoping they're life will be as eventful as yours! So instead of comparing yourself, put yourself out there and create your own friendships and happenin' life.

7. Leave Early

If you live in a big city, you will almost always have to leave early to get ANYWHERE. Public transportation is the least reliable mode of getting places. When I lived in London, I had to leave an hour and a half ahead of time to get to work on time! For those of you that live in London or have been there, HELLO NORTHERN LINE! I would have to wait for at least three trains to go by until I could luckily squeeze my tiny self onto the edge of the train before the doors shut. PLEASE MIND THE CLOSING DOORS. Bottom line - give yourself extra time to get anywhere.

8. Explore

This could go without saying, but EXPLORE the city in which you live! It's funny, I know London better than I know Kansas City. I loved venturing out and finding the intricacies and charming hide outs in London. I would often explore the city alone and I found some of my favorite spots that way. Of course, it was always nice heading out with a friend - scouting out food markets, discovering a quirky festival or trying out a new and amazing restaurant. (If you are in London, visit the Villandry near the Great Portland Street Station - its the BEST)

9. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new. Get out there and challenge yourself - every. single. day. Living in a big city, there will be plenty of opportunities for this. You will also meet new, vibrant and sometimes weird people, but keep an open mind! If your friends want to try a new club, or funky restaurant that is not your cup of tea, TRY IT anyways - you could end up having the night of your life. And if not, then you know for next time! Don't shy away from doing something adventurous because your nervous or scared or tired. Think about it this way: If you don't go out one night with all your friends because you're tired or not in the mood or it makes you anxious - whatever and all of your friends come back and tell you what a fab night they had - you're going to REGRET it! So get out there.

10. LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Dream as big as you can. A lot of people tell me I have no sense of reality and to me that isn't true. I just dream big and want a lot of things. We only have one life to live and we are only young once. As we get older, get married, have kids our window of opportunity to explore the world gets smaller and smaller. Personally, your 20's are the years where you can be selfish, think about yourself, expand your horizons, live by the seat of your pants, find out who you are, and somewhat throw practicality out the window. Your 20's are the years you can move to a big city, be completely broke, but figure it out anyways all while having a blast. When I look back on my life, I don't want to say that I settled. I want to say that I lived an incredibly full life - a life full of unforgettable experiences, adventures, laughter, adversity, challenges and love. I encourage you all to find what it is you want to do in life and go after it with your whole heart. You won't regret it, I promise.

Cheers! Xxo

[classicallycoco]

10 Tips for Moving to a Big City

1. Don't Give Up

After I studied abroad in London in the Summer of 2012, I made it a dream, a goal, a mission, if you will, to get a job and move back. Searching for jobs/internships can be incredibly daunting and there may be times you want to give up. But remember, if you keep moving forward, have faith in yourself and continue to get your name out there - you WILL get something. Just DON'T GIVE UP.

2. No Guts, No Glory

I personally think it's really easy to have doubts about yourself, your abilities, and oftentimes you may call into question if you are doing the right thing or headed in the right direction. My mom has always told me "no guts, no glory," meaning - if you don't have the guts to do something, you'll never have the satisfaction of succeeding. If you want to move to New York, Chicago, San Francisco, LA, London, WHEREVER - GO FOR IT. In the simplest terms, do not be afraid of it not working out, rather, be excited and do everything you can to make it work out. Yes, it will be scary and challenging and it will test your limits - but that is what makes it exciting. Do not hold back. We are given a special chance in our 20's that we may never get again and that is the luxury of adventure. No strings attached. Live for the thrill of it.

3. Budget Yourself

Most young 20-somethings, myself included, are not personally "well off" in terms of money, which is OK because it's all part of the challenge and adventure of figuring it out. Moving to any big city is going to be expensive and it's important to budget your money before you go and whilst you're there. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can save up enough before you move to your big city and then find a job once you get there. Here's where practicality plays a role in the dreams that we have - Rent, Food, Travel expenses, the overall cost of moving, frivolous money to have fun with, deposits, etc... It all adds up and without a smart budget you will be moving back home quickly or not moving at all. When I was in London I had a very low paying internship and it was a very challenging situation. I didn't have time to save up before I left because I got the job so abruptly, but I went anyways, still had a blast and managed to figure it out. You will too.

4. Map Out Where To Live

It's great to have friends in the city you want to move to as you can stay with them while you are sorting out where to live and such. But for those of you who don't, it's important to map out where to live. Some key things to think of here are: proximity to transportation - the bus, the metro, the tube, etc. It's really nice to live within walking distance to transportation because it obviously makes it easier to explore the city and get to where you need to be! As always, live in as safe of an area as you can afford. Try to find an area with great restaurants, nightlife and a crowd your age. Try to choose a place that sparks your interest. I realize being on a budget, it is really hard to "choose" where to live, but if you can live somewhere with at least ONE thing you like, then it will be better in the long run until you can afford to live somewhere that has LOTS of aspects you like. You are probably going to have to have a roommate (or 5) and it will be crammed but that's ok! Check out www.spareroom.com - it's a great website to find roommates in London and New York. There are several other roommate websites floating around as well - just Google.

5. Branch Out

I think a big problem with 20-somethings that move to big cities is establishing close-knit relationships and making friends. It can be confusing because you most likely left a place where you had loads of friends, a nice social life and you were happy and you now are feeling lonely and bored because you obviously aren't going to go out alone. I have personally struggled with this and I was lucky to have made friends with the girls I worked with but it was hard to find friends outside of that. Utilize meet up groups and see if your college has an Alumni Association in the city you live in. Join an intramural group, volunteer at one of your favorite museums, check Facebook for any events going on in your city that you can attend just to meet some people. I know it sounds crazy and I have grappled with it too, but I really think it is worth it just to put yourself out there! Like I said before, No guts, No Glory!

6. Don't Compare Yourself to Others

Social Media is everything these days and it's really easy to see someone post a picture of themselves at party looking like they're having the most FABULOUS time, while you are new to a city, totally lonely, sitting in your flat or apartment on a Saturday night hating your life. OK that's a bit dramatic, but you get the gist. We've all been guilty of comparing ourselves to others and I think it's really important to keep an open mind when you move to a big city and create your own path. It all goes back to getting yourself out there. It can be terrifying putting yourself out there, but if you do you'll be the one posting super fun pictures of yourself and all your new gal pals on Facebook and Instagram and someone will be out there looking and hoping they're life will be as eventful as yours! So instead of comparing yourself, put yourself out there and create your own friendships and happenin' life.

7. Leave Early

If you live in a big city, you will almost always have to leave early to get ANYWHERE. Public transportation is the least reliable mode of getting places. When I lived in London, I had to leave an hour and a half ahead of time to get to work on time! For those of you that live in London or have been there, HELLO NORTHERN LINE! I would have to wait for at least three trains to go by until I could luckily squeeze my tiny self onto the edge of the train before the doors shut. PLEASE MIND THE CLOSING DOORS. Bottom line - give yourself extra time to get anywhere.

8. Explore

This could go without saying, but EXPLORE the city in which you live! It's funny, I know London better than I know Kansas City. I loved venturing out and finding the intricacies and charming hide outs in London. I would often explore the city alone and I found some of my favorite spots that way. Of course, it was always nice heading out with a friend - scouting out food markets, discovering a quirky festival or trying out a new and amazing restaurant. (If you are in London, visit the Villandry near the Great Portland Street Station - its the BEST)

9. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new. Get out there and challenge yourself - every. single. day. Living in a big city, there will be plenty of opportunities for this. You will also meet new, vibrant and sometimes weird people, but keep an open mind! If your friends want to try a new club, or funky restaurant that is not your cup of tea, TRY IT anyways - you could end up having the night of your life. And if not, then you know for next time! Don't shy away from doing something adventurous because your nervous or scared or tired. Think about it this way: If you don't go out one night with all your friends because you're tired or not in the mood or it makes you anxious - whatever and all of your friends come back and tell you what a fab night they had - you're going to REGRET it! So get out there.

10. LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST!

Dream as big as you can. A lot of people tell me I have no sense of reality and to me that isn't true. I just dream big and want a lot of things. We only have one life to live and we are only young once. As we get older, get married, have kids our window of opportunity to explore the world gets smaller and smaller. Personally, your 20's are the years where you can be selfish, think about yourself, expand your horizons, live by the seat of your pants, find out who you are, and somewhat throw practicality out the window. Your 20's are the years you can move to a big city, be completely broke, but figure it out anyways all while having a blast. When I look back on my life, I don't want to say that I settled. I want to say that I lived an incredibly full life - a life full of unforgettable experiences, adventures, laughter, adversity, challenges and love. I encourage you all to find what it is you want to do in life and go after it with your whole heart. You won't regret it, I promise.

Cheers! Xxo

[classicallycoco]

Bar Carts

I am convinced I was born in the wrong era. I love everything 20's, 40's, and 60's glam and am enamored with the fact that the old Hollywood vintage glamour of those eras are making a comeback - glitter, sparkles, bold statement jewelry, getting overly dressed up to go out even if it's just to run errands, cat eyes, up-dos, champagne for every occasion (not just the special ones), traveling bars and my personal favorite as of lately ... bar carts! They are elegant, sophisticated and add the perfect amount of timeless vintage luxe to your home. 

While bar carts can be expensive, like most things, they are worth having if you are going to get good use out of them. Wine typically takes up loads of space and I usually stow liquor away in a cabinet. Bar carts are perfect for classically displaying your favorite wine and liquor and great for storing accessories - coasters, a deck of cards, glasses, mixers, wine openers, etc. Arranged tastefully and beautifully, a bar cart can really add a beautiful touch to your home. 

I am going to moving in to my own place very shortly and I have picked out a few of my favorite bar carts that I'd like to hopefully put in my new home! You can click on each picture for more info... 

Traditional Bar Carts by New York Furniture & Accessories 1stdibs

Those are just a few glam bar carts I have had my eye on. Etsy has some beautiful ones and I have also been checking Ebay, Craigslist and local furniture stores for more ideas. I have drawn inspiration from Pinterest and have created by own bar cart board. You can check it out here . Do you guys like the bar cart trend? For those of you that DO have bar carts, where did you find yours?  I'd love any advice or insight! Have a great Thursday! 

[classicallycoco]

Inspiration of the day #happyWednesday

[classicallycoco]

Deck the Halls with Tom & Jerry's

Tis the season! Every Thanksgiving we go to Peoria, IL to spend time with my family and I always pick up my favorite holiday drink batter - Tom & Jerry's. It goes on sale Thanksgiving Day and stops selling the day after Christmas and this particular kind can only be found in Peoria! This is the perfect hot drink to enjoy on cold winter days. You fill the mug half way with batter, add in a shot of brandy and a shot of rum and then fill to the brim with piping hot water. The brandy warms your whole body and it's so nice to cozy up on the couch with a mug of this. There are recipes floating around the internet if you want to make it yourself and other variations of the batter you can buy, but none compares to Flaherty's! I was really surprised at the history of this drink because of all places it originated in London in 1738! No wonder I like it so much. You can read more about this history by clicking on the Flaherty's link above. Have any of you ever had Tom & Jerrys? What hot drinks do you indulge in during the holiday season? Have a Happy Tuesday!! xx

[classicallycoco]

@bourgmontbrewco is serving up some moonflower saison at #skylinesalon #kc (at Skyline Downtown Salon)

[classicallycoco]

Dr. Oz 3 Day Cleanse Review

I attempted the Dr. Oz 3 Day Cleanse last week and told you guys I would do a review at the end of it... Well let me just start off by saying - it was really difficult for me. I know a lot of people said that it was easier than they thought but for me it was much harder than I thought it would be. I'm sorry I don't have a day by day synopsis per se for you guys, rather an overall experience.

Day 1: I made the breakfast smoothie. It was the best and I would absolutely make it again. I felt full for a few hours and then moved on to the lunch smoothie. I could not stomach the lunch smoothie. I am not going to lie to you, I cheated. I made the smoothie the way I wanted to with a little bit of what was supposed to be in the real lunch smoothie and let me tell you ---- IT WAS SO MUCH BETTER (recipe to come)

I was starving after about four hours. I decided to skip the dinner smoothie and eat a healthy dinner with pasta/chicken and a small salad.

Day 2: Essentially repeated Day 1.

Day 3: Repeated Days 1 & 2, ate a healthy dinner. My aunt was visiting and it was the day before I left for the Bahamas so I had a few glasses of wine with dinner (oh well)...

Overall Thoughts

I loved drinking the green tea in the morning and I would drink it throughout the day with a splash of almond milk and sugar. I really did feel better after drinking two smoothies and it does keep you full but I was honestly craving real food for dinner. One of my friends juices twice a day for breakfast and lunch and then eats a healthy dinner and she looks stunning. I did lose five pounds by doing this (I was shocked) But I did gain three back when I went on vacation. The entire experience did help me lose some water weight and I really did feel better. I did not experience head aches like some other reviewers did, but that is probably due to the fact I ate a solid dinner. I would definitely do it again and I might even start making the breakfast smoothies for a late breakfast or lunch!

For those of you that are interested, here is the recipe for my rendition of the lunch smoothie (trust me - it's better)...

Coco's Rendition of the Dr. Oz Lunch Smoothie

1/2 Cup Raspberries

1/2 Blueberries

Handful of Spinach Leaves (instead of Kale)

1/2 Cup Almond Milk (I am addicted now)

1 Cup of Pineapples

1/2 Green Apple

1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil

Spoonful of Almond Butter (optional)

And I ate celery throughout the day instead of putting it in the smoothie

Blend all together and voila - a really great and filling smoothie that tastes much better!

For those of you that did this cleanse in its entirety and by the book, what did you think?

[classicallycoco]

Thanksgiving in the Bahamas

This year, I was fortunate enough to spend Thanksgiving in the Bahamas watching KU Basketball compete in the Battle4Atlantis. For those of you that don't know a lot about college basketball, the Jayhawks are pretty amazing (no bias there or anything). The tournament is in its third year and eight college basketball teams compete for the winning title in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It was an absolute blast.

The whole trip was an absolute blast. A bunch of us stayed at the Riu, which is an all inclusive type thing. I am going to be honest - it was great if you're with a bunch of twenty-somethings and all you want to do is drink, go the games and hang out at the beach. Atlantis was literally right next door, which is where the games were. There was a casino there, which was cool because I had never been to one before but I quickly realized that I am not a fan of gambling! I get too nervous to watch (to me it's like throwing away hard earned money) but I can see how people get a thrill out of it. The last two days we stayed at the Sheraton on Cable Beach and I thought it was super nice for a few days to just relax. I thought it was a lot nicer than the RIU - there were nice clean pools, a private beach and nice bars and restaurants - but keep in mind it's not all inclusive so you end up spending a little bit more. Overall, the holiday was great and it was so nice to be able to lay out in the sun and have some fun. It was nice to have one last hoorah before I start my new job tomorrow! For those of you that have been to the Bahamas, where do you like to stay?

xoxo

[classicallycoco]

Crane & Co.

I bought this Crane & Co. Stationary last year and I haven't used any other stationary since. I feel that a sophisticated set of stationary is essential around the holidays for thank you notes and hellos. It's so easy to type an email that says thank you, but it's also just as easy to write a little note, pop it in an envelope and drop it in the post. Everyone is on their computer 24/7, checking email, Facebooking, etc. It's such a nice surprise to get an old fashioned letter in the mail, especially around the holidays. I love Crane & Co.'s Holiday Collection - they are all classy, sophisticated and festive.

There's a sneak preview of a view of my Holiday favorites from Crane & Co. I know they are a little bit on the expensive side, but they are worth having especially if you are sending to your work colleagues, your boss, professor and of course it's always nice to send a beautiful greeting to your family and friends! Do you guys send lots of cards around the holidays? What's your favorite type of stationary? Feel free to comment below or tweet me @cocomonaghan.

xo

[classicallycoco]

Texas Caviar

I am going to start off by saying -- This is the BEST stuff you will ever have in your life. Ok I'm probably being dramatic - but that is what everyone has said to me when I've made it. Perfect for parties, tailgating or just for yourself, Texas Caviar really packs a punch. I didn't create this recipe myself, but a friend that works with my mom gave it to her a few years ago. There's several renditions online, but I like this one the most. And for those of you that aren't a fan of cooking, or loathe complicated recipes, fear not because this is the easiest recipe to follow and you can alter it however you'd like.

Ingredients:

1-2 Cans of Black Eyed Peas (depending on how many people you're serving)

1-2 Green peppers

1-2 Red Peppers

1-2 Yellow Peppers

1-2 Orange Peppers

^^All the peppers above are optional, you can add whichever ones you want!

1 Large Tomato

4-5 Mini Jalapenos (optional, adds a bit of a bite)

1-2 Ripe Avocados

1 Large Onion (red or white, I prefer a red onion)

1-2 Cups of Wishbone Italian Dressing

Salt & Pepper for taste

A dash of Cayenne Pepper

Directions:

Chop/Dice all Ingredients and mix all together in a large bowl! Add the avocado on top! It's that easy, literally. I personally like Tortilla Chips with mine, but you could use crackers, pita bread, anything you fancy.

Voila! You are automatically the hit of the party. Have fun and enjoy! x

[classicallycoco]

Dr. Oz 3 Day Detox Cleanse

I am honestly not a work out person. I wish I was, but I just can't ever seem to find enough motivation to get out and exercise everyday. My older sister, on the other hand, is a work-out-a-holic! I envy her. Anyways... I wouldn't say that I eat super healthy, but I do watch what I eat, which helps since I rarely work out. I am always up for trying new things and taking on challenges though - hence the Dr. Oz 3 Day Detox/Cleanse! I am headed to the Bahamas on the 27th and after trying on bathing suits today (always a rude awakening) I have decided to detox before my trip in hopes that I lose a little poundage. A girl I work with lost 7 pounds!! I have read a lot of reviews and many people favor it. I know it is probably going to be a little difficult, since I do love my red wine at night at coffee in the morning, but hey it's just 3 days, I can do it (I think). Anyways, I just headed to the store and got all of the ingredients and I am going to start tomorrow morning! I am excited to see what the hype is about and I am hoping for some favorable results! I'll keep you all posted on my daily experience with this cleanse! Have a fab Saturday Night and Cheers! xo

[classicallycoco]

Wild & Wooly Jumpers

It's always that time of year, right before Thanksgiving, where I get into that festive holiday spirit. I love the hype that surrounds the holiday season - everyone becomes more cheerful and there is always something to look forward to, I guess you could say I enjoy the hustle and bustle at this time of year.  Holiday-attire is usually super casual in my family, but it's still nice to get a little dressed up! I have been noticing that festive holiday sweaters are making a comeback this season and I gotta say I'm lovin' it. Here's a round up of my favorite wild and wooly jumpers for your perusal!

Loving this critter Llama sweater

You can never have enough Bows

Layer this Stag jumper with a tartan button down and you'll look perfect for any holiday occasion.

Lobsters + Snowflakes + Fair Isle = Perfect Christmas Sweater

Because there's always a black sheep of the family

Reindeer Holiday Jumper

Obsessed with this weenie dog jumper!!

You can never have enough reindeer and fair isle during the holidays

An ode to an 80's classic - Christmas Vacation

And one for those who want to be a little vintage, a little tacky yet super festive.

There's a round up of some of my fave festive sweaters. ASOS has some really great ones if you want to check the rest out. Also, for tacky sweater parties (which are always a blast) check out Goodwill (or the sweaters in the back of your grandma's closet) What do you guys plan on wearing for the holidays? Happy Friday! Enjoy your weekend everyone! x

[classicallycoco]

Nothing beats brekkie @thewagonwheel (at Wagon Wheel Cafe)

[classicallycoco]

Having a few libations at #martincitybrewery #celebratorybrews (at Martin City Brewing Company)

[classicallycoco]

Chante Gossett SS14

Over the past few weeks, I have been lucky enough to help out with my friend's girlfriend's fashion show. Chante Gossett is a textiles and design major at the University of Kansas and let me just say she is SO incredibly talented. She debuted her Spring/Summer 2014 collection a few nights ago at the Bauer Event Space in Kansas City and the party was an absolute smash. Her collection was flawless - I literally want one of everything! She dyes all of her clothing by hand and the confetti print is done by hand as well. Her aesthetic is so unique and I truly believe she will go very far.

In the words of Rachel Zoe ... I DIE over this ombre jumpsuit. It was my favorite piece from the collection. Chante hand dyed this - genius. The material is a crepe de chine and it was just stunning. The craftsmanship is impeccable.

Perfect resort wear. This maxi is perfect for spring/summer months.

This dress is so sweet. The confetti detail, as I mentioned before, is all hand-made by Chante. Each dress with this print is unique and no two will be the same.

Each look of the eight piece collection is impeccably crafted and oozes talent. Classy, fun, elegant and sassy are all words that come to mind when I look at this collection. I just loved it all! Aside from the collection, I was pleasantly surprised at how many aspiring fashionistas there are in the Kansas City area. Truthfully, I really did not believe such a world existed here, but low and behold there is a small community that is very involved with fashion, art and design. Kansas City is the number one place to live to start your own business and the fashion industry is pretty much an untapped market here - but I definitely think it'll grow over the next few years. Speaking of entrepreneurship, Bourgmont Brewing Company and the Campground served up some home-crafted beer and mixed up some yummy cocktails for the event. Both were hits amongst guests. 

I encourage all of you reading out there to check out Chante's site here (her work is outstanding, if you didn't realize already). And here are links to Bourgmont Brewing Co. & The Campground!

[classicallycoco]

Kate Spade Glitter Coaster DIY

I love anything that involves sparkles, glitter or sequins and this dazzling coaster set by Kate Spade is no exception. These are the perfect addition for any cocktail hour or holiday soiree. Coasters are fairly simple to create yourself and I had some ceramic tiles left over from decoupaging a few map coasters last year and decided to recreate these pretty KS coasters for a fraction of the price! Pair these coasters with a bottle of champagne or wine and you've got the perfect gift to bring to your next party or the perfect accessories to host your own! Here's a better look at the inspiration:

Supplies:

Ceramic Tiles - You can get these from Home Depot or Lowes for anywhere between $.05 - $2.00. They are super cheap and there's a large variety. Check over in the kitchen area.

Mod Podge - Ranges between $2.99 and $8.00 depending on which size you get. You can pick this up at Hobby Lobby, Micheal's or any craft store.

Glitter - You can get any color you want! I got gold and multi-colored from Hobby Lobby and they were only $4.99.

Sponge brushes - you can use any type of paint brushes really, these are just little cheapy ones from Hobby Lobby for $.99.

Optional Items:

Cute Ribbon to wrap your coasters in if you are gifting them.

Felt or cork for the bottom of the coasters. They won't scratch surfaces, but having them does add a professional touch.

Waterproof Spray to finish off with. This will 100% keep all of the glitter in tact, but you can use mod podge as well!

You'll want an old magazine or a newspaper to lay out. Side Note: This project can get messy and I highly recommend doing this outside.

Start by spreading Mod Podge all over the ceramic tile with the sponge brush.

Pour glitter all over the ceramic tile and spread evenly. Shake off any excess onto the newspaper or into the bowl. (there will be a lot of excess, but it's ok) Next, put a little Mod Podge on the sides of the coaster and press the side of the ceramic tile onto the excess glitter, which should be on the magazine or newspaper.

You don't have to put glitter on the sides of the coaster, you can always leave them plain or paint them gold or any color you like.

Repeat this process of Mod Pogding and putting glitter on the tile as many times as you'd like and leave them to the side to dry completely. It could take them a few hours to dry. I kept mine outside so they would dry a little faster.

Once they are completely dry, put a very thin layer of Mod Podge on top and leave out to dry for a few more hours. This will ensure they all of the glitter stays in place. You can follow up with waterproof spray if you'd like!

Voila! You have your very own sparkling coasters. I realize that mine are square, but you can get circular tiles at Home Depot or Lowes so yours look exactly like the Kate Spade version. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]. Have a lovely weekend! x

[classicallycoco]

Striped Peplum

The Limited Sweater | Forever 21 Coat (old) similar here | J Crew Denim | Target Hat (on sale) | Philip Lim for Target Bag | Gap Leopard Flats | Ann Taylor Necklace (old) similar here and here

I recently purchased this striped peplum and bow sweater from The Limited and absolutely love it. It's really comfortable and the peplum detail with the bow make a casual style look cute. Growing up, The Limited was always geared towards mothers, but about a year ago I went in to find some dress pants and I was shocked at how many cute things they have! I feel like it's one of those brands that sadly goes unnoticed but I promise if you go on their website or walk into a store you won't leave disappointed. I wore this outfit for a day of running errands around town and paired it with a hat from Target. Hats are always tough for me because I have such a small head and they always drown me! This one, although a bit big, does fit nicely and I like how it covers my face just a little bit. I was having a bit of a bad hair day and it was nice to have a hat to throw on and still look somewhat chic. What are some of your go-to brands for cute/casual pieces? xo