Sandy in all the right places

It’s about that time of the year again, swimsuit season! Typically referred to as “bikini season” but this year it’s all about the one piece. Not only is it a great change of pace from bikinis but there are so many one piece options out there, the one piece is no longer for competitive swim, your mom or skirted! Also, you can now find one piece swimsuits that are classic and modest or just as sexy on teeny tiny bikinis. Ch Ch check it out

knotty nautical

This first one piece I found on everythingbutwater.com which is a great swimsuit and cover up website, but its Michael Kors brand, so you will likely be able to find it in stores that carry good ole MK. This is a classic, nautical and modest one piece option. The draping across the waist and chest create side rouching which is really flattering on all body types and will easily hide any tummy problems you may have! While the idea of this swim suit is flattering for everyone be warned, if you have a long torso a strapless one piece is probably not the way to go. Many one piece swimsuits have a long torso option or you can go a size or two up and the stretchy-ness of the swimsuit should easily form everywhere else. Also, a one piece strapless swimsuit may not be your best friend if you’re big busted. What if you are well in dowd and love a strapless one piece? You can pull it off, just don’t expect to play beach volleyball or go jogging (if your into those beach time activities). Finally, at 120 this swimsuit is more on the economical side. 

G-Ma is that you?

Next, this Mara Hoffman swimsuit is not for the faint of heart. I found this particular swimsuit on swell.com a surf gear and clothing website that carries a variety of really cool and edgy clothing and brands. I have been shopping at swell.com for about four years and I have really been surprised how it has grown and developed its own brand. They carry everything from your surf basics like Roxy and Quicksilver to girly-er high end stuff like Mink Pink and Tolani. Also, once you order they are one of FEW companies that send you a paper catalog any more (which I LOVEEEE) and they are really good about sending emails with promos like free shipping. Back to this swimsuit, its cool, its edgy, the straps give this mostly solid one piece some interest. The solid body of the swimsuit and deep V create a really slimming effect. Also, the back is basically open with a criss-cross making this one piece pretty revealing. That all being said I think this swimsuit would look great on lots of girls, and look really hot with a black and white print sarong. At 253.00 you’re definitely paying for the brand name Mara Hoffman, but your less likely to run into a friend or stranger wearing the same thing!

working that print

I am in LOVEEE with this Trina Turk one piece, I found on Nordstroms.com. If you don’t know Nordstroms you're living under a rock, they are hands down one of the best department stores in the US. They carry a variety high and low brands, and if you can’t tell I am a huge fan. Also, hopefully you’re familiar with Trina Turk. Her clothing and swimsuits have a very specific look and she always makes really bright and awesome prints. I want this swimsuit sooooo bad for a few reasons. This one piece really covers all angles and is in a stand out print. The top isn’t too low cut but the jeweled cut out keyhole adds a little something extra. The straps are pretty thick, so they can hold everything up and there’s an extra little dip in the back with a second backside tie to keep everything in place. This swimsuit is really great for all body times, yummy tummies, big busted, rounder tush, whatever this swimsuit has got you covered. And the print really has any problem areas covered and disguised. You could pair this with white linen shorts and a jean jacket for beach to dinner, or just a plain white sarong. This swimsuit costs $156.00, so it’s a little bit of an investment but also really wearable and would likely pay off in the long run.

can't wait to see her tan lines

Finally, this swimsuit is like the LBD of swimsuits. I don’t know what it is about solid black swimsuits but they are just classy, timeless and hot all at the same time. Even if you’re rocking a solid black string bikini it just looks so cool! This swimsuit I found on nastygal.com, a website I have talked about before. Just as a refresher nasty gal is a really fun and trendy website with a variety of clothing types, generally not too expensive, and they offer a vintage section. This swimsuit is classic, yet probably the edgy-est of all the one pieces and its almost showing the same amount of skin as a two piece. The back of this swimsuit is plain with no bells and whistles, but that really lends the attention to the front, which may or may not be where you want the focus to lie. Just like the first Michael Kors swimsuit a strapless one piece won't leave any halter tan lines but it maybe hard to keep up. With all of those negatives in mind, I love the cut out design. The center knots make an illusion of three bows, with out being over the top obnoxiously cutesy.I think the look is cool and modern, with a twist (literally).  At 235.00 this swimsuit is a commitment, but hey maybe you're not seeing anyone right now? 

What do you think? Still think one pieces are for your granny? Could you swim competitively in a monokini? Better yet would you want to? 

Wonderland or Wander Lust?

So ya’ll remember the peter pan dress I bought a few weeks back that I was so in love with, I was likely to propose on the first date? Well, when it finally arrived the dress was less awesome and more dun dun dunnnnnn (cue the shocked, surprised and horror face). Let me give you the break down

1^st- Before I even opened the package I noticed a little white stain on the collar. Mildly disappointed when I touched it, the stain felt like burnt fabric but it was white on a black collar. So I figured it was some sort of makeup stain from somebody who had been handling it or someone who had tried in on in the store (if there is a store?) and they shipped it out to me because who was going to buy that in the store right? Regardless, I was thought a white stain on black fabric would be pretty easy to cover up, I was not excited about the stain but I have a few tricks that could likely fix it. This stain was just the tip of the iceberg.

2^nd – I took the dress out of the bag and I thought wow this looks short! Don’t get me wrong, I like a mini but this was short! So I finally got the dress on the thing barely covered my backside and I do not have a huge butt. I am sure at one point or another people have gotten a sneak peak of these cheeks but this dress (if we are still calling it that) was like Brittney Spears and Paris Hilton panty gate all rolled into one. Just in case I double checked the website to make sure I wasn’t delirious when I ordered said dress, and the website confirmed this item is marketed to consumers as a “dress”.

3^rd – The third and final nail in the coffin the buttons were too tight across the chest. From my description this dress just sounds way too small, I am sure but it isn’t so. Lots of parts like the sleeves and stomach area of this dress were roomy if not large but the buttons across the chest looked like they were going to burst! So needless to say this “dress” had to go back.This is where things get even fishy-er (like that is possible right?) Romwe doesn’t handle return shipping. I realize a lot of companies don’t, like I know Victoria’s Secret doesn't either but heads up online businesses return labels are awesome! Even you just write out the label for me and I still have to pay the UPS guy that’s cool but Romwe’s return address is China! Therefore the person and address are all literally another language, so I don’t even know if I wrote the return address correctly! Not to mention the guy at the post office told me once the package gets into Chinese jurisdiction they can’t track it even if I paid more for it! While I believe Romwe is on the up and up the post guy warned me of UGG scams etc. It’s hard to believe we put a man on the moon and can make dresses out of meat (cough lady Gaga) but we can’t ship something to China and back. Or make pantyhose that don’t run, but I suppose that’s a whole other story!

So was it a mistake on my behalf or just a fluke in the online retail system? Perhaps I will pray to Tom Cruise tonight and hope this whole getting a refund goes smoothly. 

Here Comes The Sun

The summer hasn’t quite heated up across the entire United States quite yet but in plenty of towns and cities things are heating up. When its sticky hot outside or the sun is up high in the sky it’s tempting to just slap on a tank dress or loose fitting gym type clothes, DON’T DO IT! Just like on the flip side when it’s super cold you’re tempted to bundle up in straight blankets, no need! You can face any weather situation in style (I will address rain another time).  

Selma Blair is a gorgeous girl known for movies like Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde. I can’t say that she’s a fashionista or that I’ve noticed her style before but this look is summer cool. First and foremost the pastel shorts and white top look awesome together and they are cool colors that don’t attract the sun’s rays. Second, the fabric choice is perfection. Linen shorts maybe difficult to keep wrinkle free but they are one of the coolest fabrics around and great for summer. Not to mention linen shorts are really comfy while still looking polished. The white top is perforated to let air breeze threw and also creates a cute pattern. The pattern of the holes in the top reminds me of lace, but is less fussy, not as delicate and more modern. Personally, I would have chosen some t-strap or gladiator sandals but ballet flats are classic and girly to complete this look. Also, I am on the fence about the handbag. The color and print of the purse are on point but the bag itself is really shapeless, which is a negative factor in my book. Finally, Selma polishes off the look with a classic watch and black shades making this cool summer outfit the essence of girly summer cool. Stay cool Miss Blair, stay cool. 

photo credit people.com

New colors on the Block

This summer there are many trends popping up on celebs and fashionista’s alike but one I am particularly feeling is bright colors and color blocking.  Many bright colors are popping up in pants, shorts, and dresses like spring flowers. Mint and turquoise are making a huge come back and often seem to be paired with coral or pink.  Another popular look are bold colored pants like red or cobalt blue, these colors can easily be paired with white or black tops. Celebrities like Lucy Hale, Bethany Frankel, and even the Duchess of Style Kate Middleton have been rocking brightly colored pants, dresses and accessories. Furthermore here are my picks on what to buy now!

These super cute pink pants are from jack wills. Jack Wills is a really cool company that’s a cross between Vineyard Vines and Abercrombie & Fitch.  They embrace current trends while maintaining a classic look and British flair. These pants in particular are actually colored skinny jeans mostly cotton with 2% elastic will make them comfy enough to wear every week. This color is my favorite but these pants come in a bunch of other bright colors, and jack wills actually has a whole section on “super brights” that follow this trend, check it out at jackwills.com. I would wear these jeans with a black cotton top or navy tank. Those colors would really play up a contrast and bring out the soft pink. To get a more romantic look pair these jeans with a looser tan, cream or white blouse with pearls or gold jewelry. 

This mint and white stripe sweater is from nastygal.com.  Nasty gal is a website that has a variety of fashionable clothes, accessories, shoes and vintage finds.  I picked this particular sweater for a couple of different reasons. First, the color mint and white is really fun and could be worn with the pink jeans above or regular denim skinnies, white shorts, khakis, etc, the choices are really endless.  The sweater itself is a looser knit so you would likely need some underpinnings like a tank top, bodysuit or bandeau.  This sweater would be great for spring, cool summer nights and could even be layered on chilly fall/winter days. It’s a loose fitting look and to top off the cuteness factor it has a big pocket on the left chest. 

This bright orange dress I found on shopbop.com and is Milly brand. Shopbop is an incredible website that features a large assortment of high ender designer brand names. I originally started shopping on shopbop because they carry juicy couture and I kept shopping there for their variety. This dress is right on trend with the bright color but the lines of the dress are retro classic. The belted waist with a sweet bow will be flattering on most every body type, and the fabric is medium weight meaning the dress will maintain its structure.  The puff sleeves add a ladylike element great for work or brunch. The slit neckline brings attention to the collarbone which means no need for excessive jewelry. This dress could easily transition into the fall with a jean jacket and textured tights! This dress is a little more expensive than the other pieces but great wardrobes are made by mixing high and low pieces.  Also, most all dresses are investment pieces because they act as both top and bottom, no need to decide on matching, fit, lines, etc. This dress could really be dressed up or dressed down depending on the shoes and accessories you pair with it. 

Finally this purse is a perfect touch of bright colors.This bad is from Lulus, a 

really fun website carrying lower priced items and alternative chic brands like RVCA and billabong.  Lulus is a website that moves product fast, so if you see an item you like buy it because they will be out tomorrow! A cult favorite for the past year was a one shoulder dress with a quarter length sleeve. Each season launched different colors according to trend with the same silhouette and they sell out like hotcakes. If you’re not daring enough to rock red pants or color blocked sweaters this bright clutch would be great for you.  This bag is really a statement piece. The way the colors are arranged on the bag reminds me a of a Pucci print scarf. Plus, you can carry this clutch as a bag with the chain or tuck the strap in and carry it in hand like a clutch. Believe it or not this clutch is pretty versatile, it could go along with a bright color blocked outfit, or an LBD (Little Black Dress), or with a simple jeans and white shirt combo. 

Are you loving this trend? Do you own any of these pieces?