Food & Menswear...

I know it has been a while since there has been some action around here. I will go ahead and skip the excuses if we can agree to kiss and make up :)

I've said it before, if I wasn't in fashion I would be in the culinary industry.  I love the new series that Mr. Porter has recently launched, "The Way I Cook."  Combining my passion for food and menswear...what a dream come true.  Enjoy the video and recipe!...

What I Want Now:: BIG Hair...

I'm always changing my hair; mohawks, racing stripes, Rapunzel length extensions, blue highlights, exaggerated bobs...you name it, I've probably done it.  As I start to imagine my fall wardrobe I see big curls as my default accessory.  I'm from Texas where hair is BIG without question so it only seems appropriate that I embrace my natural texture and southern upbringing.  I can't help but be inspired by and love these big, bouncy dos!

ABC of Men's Fashion...

Jeff Staple of Reed Space/Staple Design and his thoughts on men's fashion...

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LOVES IT...Check back for more ABC of Men's Fashion videos!

Without Fail...

I was swiping images that inspired me and I realized they all had a common thread...Black & White.  This can only mean one thing, fall is on my mind.  Without fail the cold chill blows through and my wardrobe retreats to a monotone note.  I never fight it, just add pops of colors and/or a red lip.

This pedicure is a must! So adorable.


I love the look and as much as I don't want to admit it, I love Kanye's shoes here.

I can't budget for the id necklace so I'll settle for this tee.

All white everything for winter...not revolutionary but still chic!

{all images: They All Hate Us}

Double Duty...

Every season I fall in love with the graphic Givenchy prints, and this season is no exception.  I am a self proclaimed beach bum so of course the shark sweatshirt agrees with me.

{Givenchy Shark Print Sweatshirt, Asos-Dagmar Skinny Jeans}

I've said it before, my work attire has to be functional (comfortable shoes, easy to move in) but still embody my personality.  The accessories I'm drawn to tend to be bold in character while maintaining a classic appeal.  I used these Mascot sunglasses at work and will be bringing a pair to my own arsenal.  For fall I'm feeling a pair of masculine inspired broken in loafers and this studded embossed bag.

There are never enough hours in the day, so running home to change before happy hour just isn't gonna happen!  Instead I'll swap out for these leopard print pumps and dump the contents of my purse into this cobalt clutch.  I'm never one to leave without accessorizing, so some added pizazz with a coveted id bracelet and a quick swipe of my favorite red lipstick has me running out the door in time for $4 margaritas!

Work:: Mascot Sunglasses, Vlieger and Vandam purse, Church's loafers 

Happy Hour:: Loreal's Beyonce Red lipstick, Maison Margiela ID bracelet, Madewell pumps, Proenza Schouler clutch

If I Were A Boy...

My style has a lot of masculine influence...My favorite womenswear designers tend to be birthed from their menswear collection brothers (think Prada and DSquared).  I love that the ensembles below have a classic, utilitarian aspect to them that can easily be interpreted to have a feminine touch (just not too sweet).

I'm a big fan of the proportions and layering happening here.

{the sartorialist}

This is my look on the regular...my "I just woke up and need to be at work in 5 min" look.

{the coveteur}

Eugene's look just feels fresh.  

{jak and jil}

For me, there is no such thing as too much leopard.

{fashion forward men}

Homme Edition:: Tie Bars...

Rule of Thumb::  Your tie bar should live between the third and fourth buttons of your dress shirt...or in line with your chest pocket!

Now that we've got the rules out of the way... Here are a few inspirational images--I LOVE the details.

Homme Edition:: Tutorial...

Used some Alexander Olch ties today at work, saw this tutorial when I got home and thought it was too cute to not post.  Take note and practice.


{how to talk to girls at parties}

Don't forget the dimple!

Desktop Congestion...

Thought I would share some of the beauties that have been congesting my desktop.


Gotta have this shirt.

I can't stop dreaming of a closet full of sneakers...Margiela needs to find a way into my house!

I love the throw back feel of this jacket.  Now I'm in the market for my very own.

I'm for all sunnies with reflective lenses.

I haven't carried a backpack in almost 10 years and Mark McNairy is about to change that.  Maybe not for my city life but trips to the beach sounds about right.

I love everything about this outfit--Gentlemen take note please and thank you.

Homme Edition:: Lapo of Luxury...

Doing some research earlier this week I got lost for at least an hour, studying every detail of Lapo Elkann.  After the initial exam, the Italian style icon has been showing up everywhere I look...and with good reason.  All week long I've kept coming back to these same images and video inspired, curious, and indecisive.

I have been completely seduced by his mirrored sunglasses, apotheosis demeanor, & definitive Italian style {with an eccentric touch}.  Check out the video below to see his painstakingly sharp style brought to life in vibrant colors.


{all images & video from Lifestyle Mirror}

Camo-lot...

My roommate Chinae and I grabbed coffee Saturday morning and on the walk back to our apartment joked about the tailoring company that lives around the corner.  I can't remember the slogan, {I think something like "When you wear a suit tailored by "company's name here" you always smile!"}.  WOW was my first thought followed by a Steve Harvey reference.  A quick instagram check sent me into full fledged joy rage (ie intense happiness).

I give to you my incredibly stylish friend M. Liu or the LIUtenant to you.  His charcoal suit with camo guts will be coming back for a special Coco Canal feature...so stay tuned.


Immediately I sent the LIUtenant a text inquiring on his new suit and in our exchange camo was discussed and it went something like this...

-Liu::Camo has been my favorite color forever.  I know that its not a recognized color.
-Me:: It is def a color to me.  If leopard can be a color, so can camo.

Alright, so it isn't exactly going to show up in a crayon box or color wheel, but that doesn't discount its greatness.  I too love a good camo print and when it is done in bold colors and interesting unexpected ways, it becomes so much more.  Take into account the Orlebar Brown-Nick Wooster collaboration exclusively for Park and Bond.  An example of the perfect beach to lunch ensemble is below but head here to see even more fabulous looks and inspiration.

Yep In My White Jeans...

How smart is this look, and most importantly, how easy?!

{they all hate us}

I will be channeling this ensemble verbatim for some April/May attire...especially for my flight/trip to Texas in a month. Lets be honest though, I'll recreate with white distressed boyfriend jeans.

Eeny Meeny Miny Moe...

It is no secret that I'm a bit of a sneaker head these days...and with so many killer options can you blame a girl for trading in her heels?!

*Be and D has made quite the splash with their heel painted canvas shoes. Comedic and comfortable, I dig!

*One of the models at work strolled in wearing these red blazing kicks and I fell for the old school style.

*Found these knock off Sandro sneakers on eBay and realized I like them better than the real deal...probably because of the modified wedge heel!

*I'm sorry to bring us back here, but yes I am talking about another pair of Isabel Marant sneakers. This time in bleached denim...everything I've always wanted!!!

Wardrobe Diaries:: Color Me DIY...

A wardrobe diary is long overdue around here! I woke up late yesterday morning and in my rush to get out the door, I opted out of wearing a jacket. Seeing as the spring days are getting longer and warmer, the wearable life of my very limited sweater collection is coming to an end. I only say that with slight disappointment because I found and purchased my favorite sweater only a few weeks ago.

Yes, the sweater really does radiate that much neon...obviously you understand why I love it so much. Upon closer inspection, you would be able to see that H&M took a white cable knit sweater and painted neon over it--GENIUS! And like most of the fashion crazed world, I have been drooling over the Acne pop trash jeans. The only difference is I refuse to pay the MSRP that is upward of $400-500. Instead I took notes from B. Jones and a pair of $15 wranglers and got to work. I am so pleased with how my jeans turned out (meaning I've been wearing them religiously). In true Coco Canal form my look had to be layered. Oversized white shirt, distressed jeans, neon, and spiked heel boots...I would say my extra 45 minutes of sleeping really paid off in the form of sartorial last minute, grab and go style.

Shoes:: Sam Edelman Pax Bootie

Pants:: DIY Acne Jeans

Shirt:: H&M sheer dress (worn as a shirt)

Sweater:: H&M neon painted sweater

Homme Edition:: The Spring Jacket...

(The Hood Shop}

I thought about my answer to this and decided to leave it to Gilt Man's Style Director, Josh Peskowitz (sometimes guys receive advice better when it comes from a man)!

"The math here isn't complicated. You want something that is light, but will also give you some protection when the showers come. There are plenty of great options based on army field coats and parkas...and don't be afraid of a little color (think red or yellow) in your selection."

{l-r Junya Watanabe, Penfield, Burkman Bros}

I love the chambray hooded jacket. It can function as a denim jacket but also protects you from undesirable elements (think April showers and windy spring nights).

{l-r Michael Bastian, Mark McNairy, Woolrich Woolen Mills}

Mark McNairy is a genius when it comes to giving old staples new life, and this neon anorak is just one example of his tongue-in-cheek reinterpretation of American classics. Matter of fact, I think I'll take one for myself!

Living For...

If you're a long time Coco Canal reader, than you are fully informed of my unconditional love for DSquared (confidently proclaimed my favorite collection/brand), so whenever I get the opportunity to visit the showroom to preview the latest collection, I react like a kid anxiously awaiting Christmas morning! I calmly pillage the racks, at least three times, examining fabrics, silhouettes and fit, new design details...hoping that the genius and essence of the brand will somehow permeate into my very being.

***SIGH***

I walked away inspired, excited, and with a full memory card of images. When I got home I refreshed my memory (read went back to my happy place), and got to thinking about the pieces I wanted to use for work vs wear. I never thought of my style as being uniform, but I'm starting to notice familiarities (exhibit A below).

{Dsquared jeans & fur pullover:: Margiela sneakers}

Boyfriend jeans + an injection of fur + sneakers.

Yep, this is what I've been all about for..well, unapologetically, quite a while! Seriously though, those jeans with the bottom of a vest sewn onto them with a pocket square. Who could forget those high tops?! And PLEASE for the love of all things holy, do not overlook that fur pullover...Just saying fur pullover gives me a full heart and tear filled eyes! Perfect color combination, proportion, and casualness...you know just throwing on my fur sweatshirt to grab my morning coffee and walk my french bulldog pup!

The Little Black Book...

After obsessing over white double breasted jackets for our gentlemen friends, I couldn't help but want my own version (said in the whiny voice of Veruca Salt)! I haven't found my exact match yet, but that hasn't kept me from day-dreaming of new ways to wear a spring/summer staple...and this year it is all about the whiteout.

This look with an Adidas tee will most likely be my everyday go to. I'll finish it off with my Isabel Marant sneakers, Sam Edelman spiked boots, or sexy strappy sandal. A look to take me from work to a designer's preview or happy hour. Can't wait!

I know...Most people would shudder at the thought of a completely white ensemble, but I think it is beyond chic. And if something gets dirty, I always have a shout wipe on me to clean up a mess. For this look I'm thinking a neon belt is the perfect finishing touch.

I leave you with lyrics from "musical genius" Young Jeezy::

All white everything

I'm 'bout to kill 'em this summer

I'm doin' all white everything

Sweet Dreams Are Made of Cheese...

I'm definitely feeling the overall trend that is 'all over' the blogs and street style sites. A little throw back to 90's grunge with the folded down bib, but resurrected in new silhouettes. I could certainly get into a loose fit, boyfriend-esque denim onesie.

{Stockholm StreetStyle, Where Did You Get That, Stockholm StreetStyle}

Homme Edition:: Seeing Double Part II...

Earlier this week I picked up the latest issue of GQ to do a little research. While thumbing through the enhanced style filled pages, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Johan Lindeberg's "way-downtown" cool ensemble. A pair of everyday grey straight fitting jeans, crisp white t-shirt, and a pristinely pressed white double breasted jacket...Nailed It!

Post sartorial find, I took to the internets to find more.

The Caten boys sent down this luxe double breasted jacket as part of their Spring 2012 runway show.

For Spring 2011 Bottega Veneta showed a baggier version.

Here's a quick guide to get Lindeberg's full look::

Gents, maybe you want to think about giving this a go?! For you first timers trying a double breasted jacket, take note of one thing:: double breasted suits can come with any number of button sets. But no matter how many, they should all be buttoned with the exception of the bottom button set.

Seeing Double...

{Dsquared Spring 2012}

Quick preview of an upcoming blog post...stay tuned!

Rules of a Lady...

{images:: they all hate us and all the pretty birds}

Just a few looks I'm feelin'