healthy is the new skinny & natural models on ktla

As some of you know, I'm currently in LA to lend a hand to Katie and Bradford at Natural Models and since I landed on Sunday, we've been keeping non-stop awesome-busy! Yesterday morning, we were actually down at the KTLA News Station and Katie gave an amazing interview. It was such an unbelievable opportunity that they gave us; to promote Healthy is the New Skinny and Natural Models and the message we have to share behind them. This change needs to happen!

Speaking of which, the Healthy is the New Skinny team and PUP (Perfectly Un-Perfected) program will be touring Seattle in February. We're going to be stopping by several different high schools and communities to speak with teenagers, their friends, and their families about positive body image and how to keep their sparkle and we can't wait! Its going to be an amazing journey for an amazing cause! If you'd like to be a part of the program, or even just donate (because of limited government funds, we're funding this tour and our program ourselves), check out this video to learn more!




xoxo Coco

fall fashion with danny fung

(Vintage Joseph Magnin blazer, button-up c/o VJ-Style, ring c/o Gypsy Warrior,

thrifted Level 99 wide-leg jeans, and Lower East Side sandal wedges.)

It's been a little while since I last posted, and for that I am sorry! Things have been very, very busy the past week or so; so unfortunately my attention has been...divided. I've been working a lot on photography stuff and fun new content for the blog now that we're in holiday season. Since I've gone Blonde though, I've been trying to update my portfolio for the agency and my friend Danny Fung was kind enough to shoot with me again last Sunday; so I thought I'd share some photos from one of the looks we shot while wandering around Downtown before dark...

I've written about Danny before and as you guys know I adore him. He's a very talented  photographer here in Sacramento and I always love seeing what he comes up with! You guys should be sure to visit his website and check out some of his new work on his official facebook. I wanted to do something a bit sharp looking for the portfolio, so I decided to combine my vintage red Joseph Magnin blazer with my VJ-Style button up and these retro wide-leg jeans that I came across while thrifting with my sister a few weeks ago. I think this type of outfit is a great look for Fall and especially for occasions that may call for something a little more professional.

I really love the trousers. I've been obsessing over them since I bought them and, I confess, I'll find any reason to wear them and anything to pair them with! Lol! They are a thinner, breathable jean fabric, almost like a linen, and have a double button front that is reminiscent of that old school nautical/sailor look. The front comes up a bit higher, which I really like. I would have loved for an even higher waist for that great 1970s silhouette, which I'm glad is coming back, but alas... I'm still on the look out for the perfect high-waist, wide-leg jean! Hopefully the right pair will come along soon. *crosses fingers*

How have you all been, by the way? I've missed you! I hope everyone is having a lovely break so far. I don't know about you guys, but I'm so stoked for Thursday and all the amazing food it will bring. Hopefully these jeans will still fit afterward! Lol!

Happy Thanksgiving, my beautiful readers! <333

xoxo Coco

P.S. VJ-Style is having a cool sale from today until Friday! Everything in the store will be 10% off, so if you plan to do some shopping; be sure to check out the cute new arrivals they have :}

part gypsy, part warrior

Currently Listening to:

"Season of the Witch" by Donovan

(Angel-sleeve dress and silver ring c/o Gypsy Warrior,
DIY knee-high stockings, Forever 21 platforms)

I'm so very excited to announce that MTB has a new sponsor - Gypsy Warrior!

If you haven't visited or shopped Gypsy Warrior yet, I HIGHLY recommend you do so A-S-A-P. I absolutely love GW. The clothes are so fashion-forward and unique - if I could, I would buy everything up in the store for myself! Their combination of modern NYC mixed with vintage rock'n'roll is positively chic! Nicla, co-founder (alongside Michel) was kind enough to send me an amazing parcel with this beautiful angel-sleeve mini dress and badass silver and black stone ring. She also hand-wrote me a little note - how sweet is that? I'm so in love with how this dress feels when I wear it... I can definitely promise you guys that you'll be seeing more of it! Lol!

More exciting news: I went blonde! Like, really, really blonde. I had to go to the doctor on Monday (the last visit for this month, thank goodness) and afterward I treated myself to a trip to the salon. I walked in and asked the girl there for the Abbey Lee, who is my total style-crush right now (seriously, I can't get enough of that woman) and luckily I didn't have to whip out the photos I'd brought with me as examples - she already knew exactly what I wanted and I couldn't be happier with the results. A new me for the new season.

Anyhoo! I'm so into angel and bell-sleeves this fall. There's something undeniably bohemian about them, y'know? What are your guys' fashion obsessions for this Fall? Do Share! <3

xoxo Coco

remember what the dormouse said.

Currently Listening to:

"White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane

(Top, rings c/o VJ-Style, leggings by Miss Juli, heels from Forever 21.)

This week has been a tough one. I took a trip to the doctor on Wednesday to, unfortunately, suffer through a very invasive procedure without any anesthesia. It was a horrible experience that I wouldn't even wish on my enemies. (Or should I say the cast of 'Jersey Shore'? Lol) But it was wonderful coming home to a package from my new friends over at VJ-Style. They were kind enough to send me this beautifully unique button up - which is so, so soft to the touch and so pretty with its irregular, fluttery hem - and these very cool rings. I've never been much of a jewelry kind of girl, but lately I find myself loving the look of layered rings and bracelets and necklaces. Very Johnny Depp, I guess you could say. Its definitely safe to say that VJ-Style is officially one of my new favorite places to shop!

So ladies, if you want unique AND affordable clothes, be sure to check out VJ-Style :}

xoxo Coco

diy: flannel cutout shirt

So I went thrifting with my little sister today and picked up a flannel, because I've seriously been in love with the cutout shoulders look for a while now (it adds great edge to any top), and especially the Flannel Cutout Shirt by UNIF over at NastyGal. Unfortunately, its all sold out now, but being the crafty kinda gal that I am, I decided to DIY one for myself, and although I would have liked a much more over-sized flannel; I do really like how it turned out.
What do you guys think? :}
xoxo Coco
P.S. HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYBODY!!! <333

Presenting Urchin Mag!

Currently Listening to:

"God Made Man" by Young the Giant

Hello my lovelies! I've been hard at work on the new Muffin Top Baby shop along with a bunch of other new and exciting things for MTB. In the meantime though, I wanted to take the time to share with you guys a new side project that my little sister and I have started up: Urchin Mag.

Part blog, part magazine, Urchin Mag is a brand new blogzine inspired by sunburns, bare feet, and the streets of the OC - as well our own childhoods growing up in Huntington Beach! It is rooted in the unique youth style, culture, and vibe of sunny Southern California and we'll be featuring everything from fashion, music, art, and live events that embody So-Cal and the surf, swim, and skate lifestyle.

So if you live in your swimsuit and love the smell of the ocean air, check out Urchin Mag! <3

xoxo Coco

The Last House on the Left + HELLO, NEW FOLLOWERS!

Currently Listening to:

"Dirge" by Death in Vegas

(Metallica shirt c/o my step brother, Mossimo cutoff shorts, faux fox

tail from the markets in the LA, BC ankle biker boots.)

I love October. The beginning of Autumn in general is amazing, actually. The leaves are changing and the sunsets somehow always seem more poetic around this time of year. Plus there's always that onset of childish excitement for Halloween (one of my favorite holidays) no matter how old you are. Admittedly, I usually spend my October nights watching scary movies and having marathons of my two biggest guilty pleasures: Paranormal State. I will also confess that I have a bit of crush on Ryan Buell. There, I said it.

I'm very excited for Halloween. (All of my neighbors have decorations up, so I'm thinking a Halloween-themed outfit post/shoot may be in order.) And although twenty-one is decidedly a little too old to trick-r-treat, I still plan on celebrating, and dressing up. As what, I'm still not sure, which is a little sad considering the thirty-first is only about a week and a half away. I do well under pressure though, so I'll likely come up with something resourceful two days before and DIY it all myself. Yay for crafting! Lol!

Now though I'd like to take the time to say hello and welcome to my amazing new followers!

• Dynamic Super Duo VivyKora
• Hip Miss Haley Hour, who has her own fabulous shop HERE
• Adorably inspiring, Rae of Tiny Vanilla Frap
• Uber stylish Romina Gentilini
• Miss Mabel, who is one of THE coolest and cutest modern pinup girls
• Life-loving rebel girl, Marieke
• The cool and creative Hannah of Tot Ho Faig Malament
• Amara from Cello & Bow, who has amazing taste in music
• The artistically inclined Ahn from A Sea of Thoughts
• And the ever Moustachic Miss Annalisa

I'm so happy to have you be a part of the Muffin Top Baby family, and so glad to know that you loved my blog enough to follow!

Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and the love! They mean so much to me <3

xoxo Coco

You're a star in nobody's eyes but mine.

Currently Listening to:

"Andy, You're A Star" by The Killers

(Kirra jacket from PacSun, sweater by JPR Junior,

Xhilaration super skinnies, and ankle boots by Mudd)

I've been so sick lately, its horrible. Thankfully now I have new medical insurance though, so I have access to what I need to get better. The past few days have been really nice with my new medication to moderate my UC, not to mention the weather has been really pretty. Rainy, but pretty. I'm looking forward to an LA trip here in the next couple of weeks to stay with Katie and Bradford over at Natural, to work on some stuff for the agency (yay for photoshoots!) and new content for HNS. Katie was actually just in Oprah Magazine as well with a great 8-page spread on society's (extreme) ideals of beauty and the pressure it puts on people, young and old, to be "perfect". The article includes a really amazing photo as well. I strongly urge everyone check it out for themselves HERE! :}

Anyhoo. I thought I'd switch it up in this outfit post and actually do some fun street shots instead of my usual wall photos. Especially now that the weather is changing, the sun won't be so harsh. Overcast weather always makes for pretty lighting. In other news, I made some clip-in bangs! And I'm seriously so in love with how they look! I've always wanted straight bangs, but since I promised Katie I wouldn't do anything else drastic to my hair, I decided to fake my fringes instead and DIY'd some out a pair of curly hair extensions I'd had for a while now. Yay for hair stuff!

Hope you are all fabulous! Lots of love <3

xoxo Coco

Faster Pussycat, Thrill, Thrill

Currently Listening to:

"Funplex" by the B-52s

(Beanie from F21, thrifted hat clip, glasses by Ray-Ban, top by Derek Heart Clothing,
shorts from Mossimo Denim, purse/clutch by LuLu, shoes by Dollhouse)

My new glasses came in last Friday and even though I'm incredibly sick, I have been enjoying the ability to see again! I've never owned a pair of Ray-Bans before, but I really, really love them. My mom and sister are super jealous; my step-dad calls them BCGs. (That's Air Force code for "Birth Control Glasses" XD) However, I'm currently mucking about the house with a sore throat and horrible sinuses. On top of that, I'm having a really bad UC flare-up, so its been a rough week so far. Still, I thought I'd post an outfit for all of you!

When I'm feeling better, at the request of couple of my amazing readers (namely miss Amalia of A Little Bit of Shine and miss Frances of Polka Polish and Making A Mess), I will be putting together some tutorial videos on how I do my hair and makeup. If there's anything else anyone would like to see, whether a certain make-up look or hairstyle that I've done in the past or if you just have some questions for me, feel free to post them here or e-mail me at cocol@muffintopbaby.com and I will be sure to answer them for you :}

Lots of love! <3 <3 <3

xoxo Coco

P.S. MUFFIN TOP BABY TURNS 1 YEAR OLD ON SUNDAY!!!

I'll Always Be Courage's Child.

Currently Listening to:

"I Don't Want To See You Like This" by The Joy Formidable

(Sweater by Derek Heart Clothing, necklace from Forever 21,

dress by Rhapsody, shoes by Lower East Side)

I hope everyone had a fun weekend. I, myself, suffered from a bout of food poisoning thanks to my parents' friends - I think they under-cooked the pork they brought to lunch early on Saturday afternoon (I'm still feeling a little gross) - which really sucked, because Saturday night I was supposed to go to this amazing charity benefit; I was really looking forward to seeing my good friend Kari and helping raise money for a great cause. On a good note though, before the icky-ness kicked in, I did manage to get new glasses! I picked out these amazing Ray Bans and I am so, so excited for them to get here. I guess my eyesight has gotten better too (which I didn't know it could do!), or so the people at the optical center told me. Anyhoo!

These glasses are seriously the coolest ones I've ever owned. They're thick-rimmed Wayfarers in a really wicked fiery tortoise-shell texture with this really cool slant to them. Ah! I love them. I can't wait to show you them! I wish I could have left the store with them the same day, but oh well. I only have to wait about 4-7 days more. That should be easy, right? (Probably not, actually. Lol.) I have no patience when it comes to nifty things like new clothes, accessories, electronics, and so on. I hate the waiting period in between, especially when all I can think about are the amazing outfits that will go with these new goggles of mine. Oh, why can't they be here now? Not going to lie, I feel a little like Veruca Salt. "I want an Oompah Loompah, and I want it now!"

Buuut instead, I shall just be happy and rejoice for my amazing new followers! And I'd like to welcome them to MTB! So say hello to the fashion, shopping, music and photography-loving Aleksandra of Ola's Closet; aspiring fashion writer and style runaway Kelsey at RUNAWAY IN LA; marathon shopper and jogger Mery from Cup of Frappe; Greek Goddess Matina over at Living With Style; and uberly talented artist, stylist, and decorista, Lauren Christine of Golden White Decor. I love what each of you ladies do!

Thanks a bunch for following <3

xoxo Coco

P.S. This outfit was inspired by Karin Kirsten of Wunderlust (one of my absolute favorite blogs) whose most recent post "Falling" featured a great combination of a lace Top Shop bodysuit paired with an Asos maxi skirt. So thank you for the inspiration, Miss Karin!