Closing Doors

When I look back over the past months of this blog, I can see that this impending moment is glaringly obvious.  An internal shift has occurred, a refocusing of my direction in life and my wants and desires are translated into the nebulous and inconsistent subject matter of my recent posts.  A door is closing and I accept it with grace and happiness. I reach for a handle of a new one and walk through the doorway into what is unknown. 

Cocoa & Chanel has been a wonderful part of my life, a safe space for me to practice my writing, improve my photography, and share my thoughts.  However, it is time for Cocoa & Chanel to be placed in a box with its name on the lid.  It will be stored away and remembered often as a wonderful project that helped shape who I am today.

This decision may seem sudden, but I have a long list of reasons that have been mulled over for a few months now.  The biggest struggle was admitting what I already knew to myself  – it is time to move on.  Cocoa & Chanel is ending on a high note, with lots of love in my heart.  Some things are better ended this way, before they become exhausted and loathed.  I have put a lot of my soul into this project, it will be missed, but I know this decision is for the better.

This won’t be the last thing you read of mine, however.  I love writing and therefore, I do enjoy blogging.  I am always scribbling on something and my head filled with ideas that can only be released through pen and paper.  I may blog again one day, with a more poignant purpose and subject matter.  Perhaps I’ll finally finish one of those novels I’ve started, but never ended.  Maybe I’ll get an article or two published.  You never know what the future will hold – that is what makes life so tantalizing and exciting.

I thank you, my few and dear readers, from the bottom of my heart for your constant encouragement and enthusiasm.  I hope Cocoa & Chanel will be as fond a memory for you as much as it has been for me.

May you continue to pursue a life of little pleasures,

-Jenni

P.S.  I will leave the posts up until July 2013.  This will give you plenty of time to collect any recipes or ideas before the pages are gone for good.

Tysons Galleria & White Lace Fedora

Tags

Black Poppy, Black Riding Boots, Fedoras, Neiman Marcus, Nine West, Style, Tysons Corner Galleria, White Lace Fedora

Fedora by BlackPoppy; Boots by Nine West

A few weeks ago Hubby, LM, and I went for a little outing.  It was raining and dreay, but we desperately needed to get out of the house.  We decided to grab lunch at Maggiano’s Little Italy and window shop in Tyson’s Corner Galleria.  It was LM’s first time inside a Neiman Marcus – a Kodak moment for sure.

While there are much more worthy structures in the DC Metro area to visit, the Galleria is just a fun experience, if you have time on your hands.  Imagine 5th Avenue miniaturized and placed inside one building.  This mall is filled with great stores, fabulous restaurants, and the solemn silence of reverence that only occurs around shops with high quality and taste, and equally high prices.

And if you are a rush, may I suggest the food court – if you can even call it that – on the top floor.  It is amazing and will debunk any stereotype of “food court” you ever had; therefore, ruin your expectations forever.

Tyson’s Galleria

2001 International Drive
McLean, Virginia 22102
703-827-7730

Visit their website here for hours and more information.

By the way, how much do you love my white lace fedora by Black Poppy?  The fedora is always a classic, but the white lace and black trim takes any outfit from casual to chic.

Update: Inconsistency – The Ebb & Flow of Life

Tags

Blog, Cocoa & Chanel, Fashion, Food, Inconsistency, Life, spring, Style

So, remember when I said that this was just going to be a food blog?  You can ignore that.  With spring on the way I’ve been obsessing over new looks and items to add to my wardrobe.  I’ve realized how much I miss blogging about style, fashion, and beauty.  You have to do what you love, you know?

I also realized that I explain way too much.  I’m a perfectionist and when things don’t go according to my expectations I feel like I need to justify myself to the world.  Over this past year I have discovered that perfectionism is exhausting and I simply don’t have the time.  Some months will have more recipes, others more style updates, and some months I may post nothing at all.  Inconsistency – it is the ebb and flow that makes life interesting.  (You can thank Little Man for that little bit of wisdom.)

 

So, spring. How excited are we for skirts, light jackets, and cute umbrellas?

Happy Valentine’s Day

Tags

Love, Mother Teresa, Valentine, Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day!

  I hope it is filled with lots of love and all things sweet.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
― Mother Teresa

February’s Favorites

Tags

Apple and Ginger Yum Yummy Cookies, Aveda, Aveda Inner Light Mineral Tint Moisturizer, Chocolove Chocolate, Oganic Baby Food

Aveda Inner Light Mineral Tinted Facial Moisturizer

My make-up philosophy is: You think I’m naturally this good looking, don’t you?  On the occasional date night I’ll play up the smoky eyes or go with a darker lip, but most days I prefer the illusion of an au naturale Helen – with freckles.

So, when it comes to finding foundation, I become extremely frustrated.  I need something that 1. Won’t fall off by 2PM; 2. Doesn’t suffocate my face and make me feel like I’m running around with a mud mask; and 3. Doesn’t. Turn. Orange. And give me that hated but all too popular Oompa Loompa face.

A friend suggested I try Aveda’s Inner Light Mineral-Tinted Moisturizer.  For starters, Aveda has great products made with naturally-derived ingredients, something I’m always looking for. (Especially now that I have a little one whose cheeks I’m kissing all day.)  What sold me was the fact that it was a moisturizer, not a foundation exactly, and it has a broad spectrum SPF 15, too.  It isn’t greasy or too thick, allowing my face to breathe.  And the color is just perfect enough to give me an even tone.

They have a good range of tints to choose from and most stores are great about letting you try out their products in-store to see what works for you.

Do you have a favorite foundation?

 

ChocoLove Chocolate Bars

Not only do these Chocolove chocolate bars taste divine, but each one has a love poem printed inside the wrapper.  There is nothing like satisfying your chocolate cravings while reading a little poetry.  I highly suggest the “Almond & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate,” “Strong Dark Chocolate,” and “Hazelnuts in Milk Chocolate.”

And may I say, perfect for Valentine’s Day!

A Mommy Favorite: Ella’s Kitchen Organic Baby Food

I attempt to make most of LM’s food, which is now getting so much easier that he can eat most things.  For those days where we are running errands or I forget to remove his food from the freezer, I go for Ella’s Kitchen Organic Baby Food.

I always carry a pouch in my diaper bag for those out-and-about lunch dates. They don’t take up much room and most places are great about providing me with a little bowl to squeeze LM’s lunch into.  Their Yum Yummy Apple & Ginger Cookies are wonderful little treats that Little Man immensely enjoys on occasion.

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I thought I’d mention that my Monthly Favorite Posts are sincere reviews of my favorites for that month and not sponsorships.  These companies just happen to create and produce products that I love and meet my picky standards.  When and if I ever start receiving sponsorship for Cocoa & Chanel, I’ll be sure to make it quite clear and promise to never compromise my standards of quality for financial gain.