Long time, no post!

Hello to all my followers! Its been a while, hasn't it?

As some of you know, I've had a lot on my plate since last year when my parents announced they were moving to Italy. Its been a little rough, but I've been a busy bee trying to get things together in preparation for my move to SoCal, arranging work and a place to stay. Luckily, I've found the latter, but I'm still working on the former. I'm also in the midst of building up my wardrobe stylist portfolio and have had a lot of fun (and success) in doing so over the past several months!

Curious as to what I've been up to? Here's a peek!

To see more, check out wardrobe stylist blog: Jet Blonde

While I'm not closing Muffin Top Baby, I will be updating this new one more frequently as I produce more work. So be sure to check it out/follow to keep up with me and all my photoshoot adventures!

All my love,
- K

april showers

Currently Listening to:

"Icarus" by White Hinterland

The weather has been wonderful here in Sac lately. We started out a bit rocky around late March, early April, but now as its getting closer to May we find ourselves with lots of gorgeous (albeit hot) sunshine so yesterday I had an impromptu "photoshoot" out on the street. (Please ignore my roots XD) Now today on the other hand...today was a great day for thrifting! So I took my little sister and her friend to Thrift Town where we literally 'went to town' on the all the great finds and prices...

You can almost guarantee you'll walk away several items under $15 after a trip to TT--good for your closet, bad for your wallet if you've got loads of extra cash to spend. Today, I did not in fact have much on me save for a few dollars in tips I made the other night at work and with said green; I was able to walk away with a beautiful, sheer mint button up collar blouse, an AMAZING lavender blazer, and a pair of high-waisted Levi's (that seemed to fit oh-so-perfectly) that I plan to DIY this week for some NG-inspired cutoff shorts.

In other news, I will be shooting with my friend Ashlee tomorrow! (Check out her blog on my blogroll: spooks + scales) We're going to do a great Lolita inspired photoshoot. Can't wait to hang with and photograph her again; its been too long and she's such a talented individual! She's a fellow mermaid-at-heart too! Hopefully its not too hot tomorrow--I don't want her melting like a popsicle in this soon-to-be-summer heat! :)

xoxo Coco

tonight, we are young

Currently Listening to:

"We Are Young" by FUN

This past week was a busy one. I shot with Mr. John Danger (pictured above, with the curly hair) and we did some amazing film work together. (I can't wait to see the results!) I took my camera as well so I could photograph him for my "Portrait of a Photographer" series which I plan to revive over the next coming months. The last one I did was of miss Jacqueline Harriet and I loved how they turned out... Then I shot again with my good friend Danny Fung (the handsome Asian gentleman with "swag" reminiscent of James Dean) who I will be collaborating with as a stylist on a shoot for Glacier Magazine for the June edition. Its been a while since I've done any styling like that--the last time I think was when I was visiting Katie and Brad and Farley down in LA. Needless to say, I'm definitely looking forward to it :)

Here's a sneak peek from my shoot with Danny! (Wearing my new, super-awesome poncho!)

Danny and his camera are amazing--and so are you guys! <3

xoxo coco

the week in photos

From breakfast at Estelle's to training at Dive Bar, from mermaid tails to mermaid hair,

all the way to my three new favorite nail colors from Wet & Wild :)

Hello, Sunshine!

(Covergirl lipstick in Spellbound #325, Minted nail color by Revlon,

seashell ring from Bows & Arrows in downtown Sac)

Long time, no post, huh? Well, my sincerest apologies to my readers for being such a bad blogger. I can't believe its been nearly two months since I last posted--shame on me! I definitely missed you guys, and I plan to post quite a bit more now that I've settled into a new job and have begun the big transition from teenager to adult. (I know right, finally! Lol) A lot has been going on since my visit to LA this past December, while most of it has been really, really tough, I know it will be worth it in the long run :-)

At the moment I'm working steady hours again, I've got a new project under my belt for the upcoming Summer, and I'm getting ready for my parents' big move to Italy. Supposedly my step-dad will be leaving later this month to settle in there and he'll come back in June or July or so; with my mom and sister soon to follow. Its a bit scary to think that I'm going to be out on my own, with the only family I have far, far from here (all the way on another continent!), but I'm trying my best to adjust to the idea and to get ready for it. I'm saving up and hoping I can find an affordable place of my own when the time comes, but until then; I'm enjoying the time I have left with everyone.

The weather has been UH-MAZING here in Sacramento the past week or so. Its been bright and shiny, a little windy today and yesterday, but nothing a light jacket can't fix. Spring is beautiful--its my second favorite season, next to Summer, even though it can be BLAZING here in the Summer months. Still, I'm already breaking out the shorts and enjoying the maxi dress weather I've been presented with lately. I'm really looking forward to being able to lounge around in nothing but a swimsuit though. That is definitely one of the best feelings! Speaking of which, I've been keeping my eye out for some cute must-haves for the warmer weather. At the moment, I'm crushing super hard on dyed & destroyed denim jeans with studs and the like. So, so cute...

I attempted to DIY a pair last weekend with my little sis, but the kool-aid and food coloring didn't hold up. While I was dying them, they looked gorgeous and I was really excited for the outcome, only to toss them in the washer, take them out, and find they looked exactly the same as when I started with them! The dye had completely rinsed out! I was bummed to say the least, but I'm planning to do it again with real fabric/rit dye, and not the organic/alternative stuff. Despite following the directions of another DIY tutorial, it just didn't work. Fingers crossed that it will next time! Until then, I've got two very important interviews this week--so wish me luck? :-)

Outfit post coming soon! <3

xoxo Coco

P.S. What are you guys looking forward to about Spring/Summer the most?

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

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

MUFFIN TOP BABY CELEBRATES ITS 1ST BIRTHDAY!!!

Currently Listening to:

"Breathe" by Miss A

(Dress by BeBop, shoes and tights from Forever21, glasses by Ray-Ban)

I can't believe its been a whole year! Unfortunately, I woke up incredibly dehydrated, but I managed to suck it up and snap some quick pics for you guys in my new dress. Isn't it darling? My mom bought it for me as a Bloggerthday present! And to celebrate the blog, I decided to switch up the banner :}

From the bottom of my heart though, I want to thank all of my readers for your love and support! From spreading the word about Muffin Top Baby, to returning to read and comment time and time again, and even for all your well wishes and prayers through my health struggles... You guys have  seriously made this such a great experience, and it makes blogging all the more worth it!

I look forward to celebrating birthday #2 with all of you!!! <3

xoxo Coco

Take A Peek Inside My Purse + The Free People AUG 2011 Lookbook + MY NEW OMBRE HAIR!!!

At the current moment, these would be the contents of my purse:

As you can see there's nothing too spiffy going on. I have my M*A*C essentials for retouching my makeup when I'm out and about (I like to keep things natural for the most part), my clutch, which contains my ID, license, cards, etc., for when I want to switch from a big, bulky side-bag to something a bit sleeker; my sunglasses to fight off this blazing Sacramento sunshine and of course my copy of the new Free People "in Venice" August 2011 Lookbook that arrived in the mail for me! I really love the look of 70s inspired separates for this Fall and definitely plan on taking a page (no pun intended) from FP's book for style inspiration this season.

Here were a few of my favorite looks:

I wish I could just walk into my closet and walk back out wearing all of these ensembles! I especially love the maxi dresses and the shaggy coats, both of which I plan to buy and wear many, many more of! You all know that I love my Summer and that I tend to be a summer and springtime girl, but I have to say that FP's August Look book has me itching for Fall. I seriously can't wait to try some of these layered looks for myself. I also realized that I am in dire need of a really big, really floppy hat! So if you guys have any suggestions as to where I can shop the perfect one, let me know! I'm all ears!

In other news... (Drum roll please...)

I played with my hair!

I know, I know... AGAIN, COCO?! (Or "you're killin' me, girl" as Katie put it! Lol!)

But you guys know me. I get bored easily and I just could not resist the calling of the Ombre. (Plus things have been so hectic as of late that I just felt like I needed some sort of change or overhaul or something.) I've been a little obsessed with the relaxed and messy, laid-back, over-grown hair trend recently, which is not surprisingly still going strong - there's something grungy, but still very glamorous about it. I kept flipping back to Drew Barrymore's take on Ombre (or "Balayage" which is the formal name) hairstyle last year, which I personally think she rocked the heck out of. Other honorable mentions definitely have to go to Hillary Duff, Rachel Bilson, and of course miss Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast, who was actually one of the first people I saw to sport the style.

Its not for everyone, but I really, really love it. I feel free in a strange way. I don't know why. Possibly because the whole idea of it; is to look like you've skipped months and months of salon appointments to let your roots grow in wild and free. That being said, Ombre is pretty much the perfect style for any girl who wants something low-maintenance and its easy to do at home with a highlight/lifting or bleach kit. All you do is paint from the tips of your hair upward in graduation, let it set for a bit, then rinse, and repeat the process until you're happy with the lift/how light it is. There are several great DIYs online if you feel like being adventurous too! Be sure to check out these awesome step-by-step tutorials by Zoella and Brittnee Caan of L'ing the L :}


What do you guys think of Ombre hair? Think its still hot or just a hot mess?

xoxo Coco