New Year, New Beginngins....

Dear followers... all five of you, hahahah! In anticipation of the new year I have re-named/re-located to "Coco and Toast!" www.cocoandtoast.blogspot.com Please enjoy and follow;)

xoxo

erin

Something old, something new...

The panic is starting. That holiday 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. 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

crayons and cashmere

Great vintage online resources... ebay.com and etsy.com

Check out some of L.A.'s best rated Vintage shops on citysearch

It's been a while...

OMG! Has it really been over a month?! Oh dear blogging world, and dear readers, I am back:) As some of you know, I recently 'went under the knife' to fix a very painful, and annoying back pain due to a herniated disc. Well, results have been amazing! I feel great and am back to being pain free (something I have not been in 3 years!). So, thank you Dr. Lin and staff!! Ok, enough about that! Yesterday, on a quick trip to the mall, I found my inspiration to blog again... A gleam of light in the shoe department caught my eye... Sparkling gold, pink, and silver, like one might find at the end of the rainbow! As I approached the table, The name "Tom" became clear on the back of these sparkling darlings. Surrounded by Prada, Jimmy Choo, Jeffery Campbell, and Cole Hahn, these glittery creations of 'Toms" were on a table with other canvas creations, and a picture of a guy (I assume it was Tom, right?!) putting the same shoes on a bunch of kids. Yes, that's right, these magnificent shoes were a pair of 'Toms," the shoe that gives back in more ways than one. Toms shoes not only give your foot an oh so chic, amazingly simple look, the comfort of a well padded, cozy slipper shoe, but also gives a new pair of shoes (for every pair bought) to a child in need. They call it "One for One." Now that's a bit of Christmas spirit that everyone can appreciate! These shoes are sold year round, and are very affordable. AND if you have little ones to shop for, the kids Toms are so adorably cute!! Well Tom, I admire your dream being brought to life... just watched your video (click Toms) and need my box of kleenex...;')

xo, sniff, xoxo,

erin

crayons and cashmere

TOMS for toddlers

Pink TOMS (Dear Santa, if you are reading this I have been a very good girl! size 9.5 please ;)

Cuff 'em!

Hello all, and happy Friday!! Well, seeing as how I'm so loving everything that sparkles right now, I'm sticking on the topic of jewelry and addressing my second favorite piece (after the cocktail ring, of course), the Cuff bracelet. This chunky statement piece never goes unnoticed and is often, if not always, seen on the runway. According to the ever so wise Nina Garcia, "The cuff is a piece that is often used to assert or proclaim someone's personal style. The uptown girl wears a diamond, or platinum version. The bohemian girl wears leather or wood. The rocker chick goes for black leather with studs." (The One Hundred) No matter what "girl" you are today, this bold item can 'glam up' an otherwise casual outfit, or add that needed edge. So try channeling your inner style... throw on a cuff and layer with a few bangles tomix it up a bit!!

Cheers to all!

xoxo,

Erin

Crayons and Cashmere

Here are a few cuffs we adore....

J. Crew 'Teardrop Cuff"

J. Crew 'Crystal Cluster Cuff' (Santa, if you are reading this, I've been a very, very good girl!)

On top: Topshop 'Zig Zag Cuff' and 'Chain Wrap

ped Cuff'

Jewelry... bling, bling!

Jewelry has been on my brain for the past couple weeks! As many of you know, I have recently become a consultant for "Touchstone Crystal," a direct selling company, member of the Swarovski crystal corporation. The beautiful pieces I have received, and shared with friends, have inspired me to share my love of jewelry with all of you! Jewelry is a conversation starter, an eye catcher, a little friend that will spark up your mood! Now, who doesn't love to sparkle? Whether it be a little gleam of light, or a sparkle so bright it reflects off the walls! The idea is to make a statement, to inspire a "wow" from all. As the all wise and ever so fabulous Rachel Zoe has said, "There is gorgeous costume jewelry out there, pieces that sparkle with cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystals, and faux gold that resembles the real thing." See, Even Rachel Zoe loves Swarovski!! I have already written about my favorite piece of jewelry, the cocktail ring, but now want to focus on some jewelry box basics. A life of sparkle and glamour begins with some basics. Real os faux, these basics can go from day to night, mixed, layered, or worn alone. Here are a list of basics from Rachel Zoe's book," Style, A to Zoe":

*Diamond Studs, real or fake

*A statement-making cocktail ring

*Simple hoop earrings, white or yellow metal

*A big pair of "wow" earrings can glam up any outfit in a snap!

*A strand of pearls, real or faux

*A watch

*A simple chain for everyday, with a charm that is personally meaningful. This piece becomes your signature. Mine is a layer of two sterling silver chains, one with a letter J (for my son) and another with a letter E (from my best friends, when I turned 30...Love u JEM!)

*A bracelet, be it a bangle or a cuff

*A dressy necklace or pair of earrings, It can sparkle wi

th diamonds, crystals(preferably the most

sparkly of them all, Swarovski). Make sure it's something that makes you feel instantly dazzling!

Here are a few of my favorite basics:

1. Millionaire's Club earrings (top)

2. Safari Cuff (top)

3. Green Supreme Earrings

4. Black Diamonds Ring (I LOVE!)

5. Key to Happiness (necklace)

6. The Big Easy Earrings (hoops)

If you are interested in any of these glamourous pieces, they can be purchased online here, or just let me know!!

Thank you all for reading, and don't forget, I love hearing from you all! Please feel free to leave any comments, ideas, or questions. Ciao!

xoxo,

Erin

'Crayons and Cashmere'

Cocktails Anyone?

Ah... the ever adored 'Cocktail Ring' is an absolute favorite of 'Crayons and Cashmere.' Whether wearing your favorite jeans, or a gorgeous little black dress, throw on a bold, blinding cocktail ring, and the power of transformation is undeniable! This glittery friend of ours brings us even that much closer to FABULOUS! Waving it around at a party while you are mingling, or twirling it on your little finger is absolutely one of the best ways to amp up your 'style' and make a statement. Fun Fact: "The term 'cocktail ring' emerged during Prohibition, when women would wear large, bold rings to illegal cocktail parties. A woman would flit her hand around, drawing attention to the bauble, to let you know that not only was she drinking illegally, she was doing it with style." (Nina Garcia, 'The One Hundred") That makes it even MORE fun to wear!! The great thing about the cocktail ring is that it does not have to be real- in most cases a great big piece of fake costume jewelry is preferred! Therefore, you don't have to spend the 'ca-ching' to get the 'bling, bling!' Can it get better than this?! So be BOLD, ADVENTUROUS, FABULOUS! Get your bling on!

xoxo,

Crayons and Cashmere

A piece we adore....

Touchstone Crystal: 'Blue Diamond Ring'

Tights!

Fall weather has finally come to CA... Time to put on the tights ladies!! Don't rush to put away those mini skirts or spring dresses. Just add a pair of tights and a boyfriend cardi, and you are one chic girl. Black opaque tights have been walking the streets since the early 60's, and have graduated into all colors and textures. These 'leggy wonders' can lead way to an ultra edgy outfit, or a miraculously longer, slimmer looking leg (Yes please!)! Wear matching color tights and boots (ex: black tights, black boots) to create a long, sleek line. Throw on a mini with tights, and bypass the thought...'Is this skirt too short??'

Here are a few favorites:

J Crew: Metallic Ribbed TightsNordstrom: Commando Opaque Tights Nordstrom: SPANX 'Bloom' Lace tights (My Favorite!!)

xoxo!

Crayons and Cashmere