Juicy Suit is Gonna Move Ya'

Sorry for the corny title, but I can't get the catchy Juicy Fruit commercial out of my head. I struggled with a swimsuit selection this year considering I was a few months post-giving birth. After going to EVERY department store, I ended up at Belk. Why I didn't start there in the first place, I don't know. I have gotten my last 2 swimsuits there, and I always have success. I guess I just wanted a bargain. Anyway, I ended up with a swimdress. I know, sounds grandma, but look at it...cute, huh?! And yes, my body looks JUST LIKE THIS in it!

Anyway, since I am a "frugalista" (Tadd says this should be my new title since we have heard the term on the new Target commercial, and I'm always searching for a deal), it was hard for me to make this purchase. It is Juicy Couture, and though it was 1/2 off, it was still pricey for me. SOOOO glad I bit the bullet and did it, because I heart this swimsuit. It covers everything I want covered and shows off the good stuff.

So we went to the beach and Illy came over with her precious little girl, Reagan, and guess what Illy was wearing? You guessed it...my Juicy Suit! She said Jenn had it at a girls weekend that I missed and she went and bought it because it was so cute. Guess all of us moms have the same idea...no more bikinis!!!!

So my Juicy Suit is on the move...across three states...so much for being different.

Ciao!

I did it...

I bought a bathing suit for this summer! I put it off for 2 reasons. 1) We are just now going on vacation today (yeah!) and 2) I was waiting for a big sale...and Belk is having one this weekend!

I followed my own rules and bought what would work for my body type. As you can see from the pictures (which are kind of distorted...sorry), the top is a halter which shows some skin on the smallest part of me...my chest :) Then on the sides, it has these drawstring things that allow you to make it rouched. This works perfectly to cover up the gut I've accumulated over the summer. Then the bottoms (my phone will be ringing any second. My sister will be calling me to make fun of me. I made fun of her for getting a "skirted" swimsuit last year) have the cutest little skirt...not too grandma, but covers up just enough! I'm so excited to wear my new suit to the beach. Hopefully I'll be confident that all the bad parts are masked, and all the good parts are showing (well...not too much of the good parts!)

P.S. My swimsuit is neither of these colors. I just couldn't find a pic of it in my color (purple). And I'm not going to gross ya'll out and put a pic of me in it...ha!

Does size matter?

Ewww! Get your mind out of the gutter...I'm talking about clothes here! More importantly, swimsuits. My swimsuits are ALWAYS bigger than my regular clothes. In fact, the one I bought last year, the bottoms were 2 sizes bigger than my clothes, and the top was 3 sizes bigger (which seems bass ackwards, but I was nursing at the time...so I can't fill that top out this year!). Anyway, my point is, always bring a few sizes in the fitting room with you, and do not worry about which one fits you better. Who sees the size on the tag? Nobody but you! And if it what the tag says upsets you, take advice from one of my favorite stylists, Clinton Kelly, and just cut the tag out! This goes for clothes too. What is important is how it fits. If it fits poorly, you are going to be drawing the wrong kind of attention to yourself. Clinton says, "A 4 sounds great and a 2 is like a dream...Each label will fit you differently, and you will drive yourself crazy if you declare you will never wear anything above an 8."

So in answer to the question, "Does size matter?" No and yes. No, it doesn't matter what size you are. Yes, it matters that you get the size that fits you properly.

"Tan fat is prettier than white fat"

Don't you love it! I got that off a billboard in Mobile once. It was advertising a tanning bed. It is so true. Don't you just feel prettier when you have a tan? While I did frequent the tanning bed in my younger (and more idiotic) days, I avoid it now like the plague. But, if you are trying on swimsuits, I recommend having some color to you. Just wear your swimsuit from last year a few times to the pool (or your backyard) and get a little tan (after first applying sunscreen). Going into a fitting room (with those awful, fluorescent lights shining on glorious cellulite...speaking from experience) is much less painful with a tan.

Another option is the self tanner. I like the kind you use for a daily moisturizer (Jergens, Dove, and even Target makes a version of this). You put it on just like lotion daily. You will start seeing results after just a few days. And after a week, it looks great! I like the Jergens, personally, because it doesn't smell so bad. The way I apply it, is to put it on right after you get out of the shower or bath while your skin is still damp. This helps the lotion really absorb into the skin, and it helps you get it more even all over (thanks Mom for this pointer). It really doesn't look orange like most tanners, and mixed with a little tan from the real sun, it doesn't look 1/2 bad!

Dreaded swimsuit season

As promised, I'm going to give a few swimsuit pointers. I am not an expert in this subject, but am going to apply some of the same rules that I use when dressing clients in regular clothing. However, I'm not giving you all my rules because nobody would hire me if I give away all my secrets! I'll give a few pointers for each "problem area." If I leave anything out, let me know in the comment area, and I'll do my best to help!

1) Wide Hips-Just like in regular clothing, stay away from busy patterns on the bottom. Go for a dark solid bottom, and a printed top to draw attention up. This would also work well for big booty girls. See picture for example. I'm not saying this exact swimsuit...just giving you the idea.

2)Big Ta-tas-For all of you who complain about the ta-tas, just remember, that there are people who pay good money to have what you have! If you don't want to show them off (thank you) you will want to look for a suit with some support. Go for a wide band at the bottom of your top (same thing with a one piece...look for the band under the bustline) and good thick strap to "keep the girls locked and loaded" as Clinton and Stacy would say. You could do opposite of the hips/butt look and do a solid top, and print bottom to draw attention away from the twin towers.

3) Small Ta-tas-If you are president of the itty bitty titty committee, look for a top like the suit below. Lots of detail on the top adds volume. Be sure you have some padding. The horizontal stripe is good, ruching between the girls is good, also bandeau tops with the ring in the middle is darling. A word to the wise, I saw FOUR red and white striped bikinis at the pool Sunday (same exact swimsuit, bandeau w/ the ring). Cute suit, but loses its appeal when everyone and their momma has it on.

4) Pudgy tummy (or rolls as Lin would call them)-Same as with dresses and tops, go for ruching or a wrap. This will mask the "rolls." You have to be really careful with rolls and one pieces. Sometimes the shiny fabrics accentuate them. You really need to make sure you have something going on in the midsection to mask them. Tankinis work too. But be sure you opt for the longer, flowing tops as opposed to the shorter, tight ones. They can squeeze your middle out and make you look like a stuffed sausage.

Hope this helps! To be continued...

Ciao for now!