Full Coverage Swim Bottoms

It's that time of year again. Bathing suit season, where I begin my annual search for a full coverage swim bottom. 

So here's the dish. I've got a big ol' booty, an extra long torso, and strikingly pale skin. The thought of finding bathing suits to meet all my hyper specific needs can be overwhelming. 

... ... deeeeeeeeeep breeeeeeeath ... ... 

I can't wear a one piece (even though that would be my preference) because my torso is even too long for long torso suits. I can't wear a two piece because I burn so easily and am prone to skin cancer. I need a swim bottom that is FULL coverage. Any bikini bottom is guaranteed to go straight up my toosh; I need something that is a full coverage short. AND last but not least, I want to look good.

Each year I begin the search anew and add pieces to my "cover this body up as stylishly as possible" arsenal. Last year I snagged some great swim shorts from target in both black and blue. They are a bit loose around the waistband area, but not horribly so. Frankly, that may not be an issue for everyone. I happen to fall on the end of the curvy scale with a size small waist and size large booty. This year I ordered this striped rashguard (with a SPF 50 rating) and these boy-short bottoms from Old Navy. The top is quite flattering. The bottoms are comfortable, but have a much lower rise than the pair from Target, so be advised.

Women's Striped Rashguard Swim Top in Black Stripe | Women's Mix & Match Boy-Short Bottoms in Ebony | Mossimo® Women's Mix and Match Swim Short -Indigo Night | H&M Braided Straw Bag | Forever21 Chunky Canvas Sandals

So what do you all think? Do you like the bag and sandals I've paired this up with? Do you have any super awesome full coverage swim suit resources? Do you have any super ultra extra long torso resources? Are you comfortable flaunting it all at the beach and pool? Are you more modest like me? Do you sometimes feel like a nut? Sometimes you don't? Do you think I should wear a red scarf around my neck with this suit and pretend to be a mime on the beach?

Pumpkin Costume

Pumpkin Party by today-i-want featuring green stockings

I love a good costume, but sometimes they can be expensive. Some years it's worth it to take a more ladylike spin on a costume so that the money you spend on the garments doesn't feel so bad because you can piece them out into your everyday wardrobe. I love that everything in this outfit is totally affordable and totally versatile. I actually did this same outfit last year with a dress I snagged in the sale section at H&M for only $7!! Total score!

Mani Monday NEON

My friends over at CapFabb are having a NEON style challenge! I thought it would be fun to incorporate it into Mani Monday and rock it with some super saturated neon polish, my DIY bracelets I crafted up this weekend, and one of my favorite clutches c/o ASOS.

Forever21 Leopard Dress via It's All Good

Neon Laser Cut Clutch c/o ASOS

Studded Bracelets via H&M

Neon Bracelets DIY by me

Spoiled by Wet n Wild

S038 - "Did I Dye It Too Blonde?"

If you have a second, definitely hop over to CapFabb's blog and see what some other CapFabb bloggers have come up with for the neon challenge. Three cheers for NEON!

Early Summer Date Night

After hanging out with some of my Blogger BFF's at Violet Boutique's Lookbook party and talking about how I just don't wear shorts, my tall blogger buddy Waverly (who was featured twice recently on Refinery29 DC!) gave my a little boost in confidance. I decided I should just be brave and DO IT! Kind of ironic that shorts scare me and dying my hair green is a walk in the park, but in my defense my legs are really long and REALLY pale. It's alot to share with the world.

Sweater via H&M (DC)

Blouse via OldNavy (VA)

Shorts via Banana Republic (MD)

Pollie Strappy Espadrille via Target (web)

Bow Necklace via Macys (VA)

Neon Clutch c/o ASOS

 

What do you think? Too much leg?

Today I wore... Mint via H&M

Dress via H&M (similar)

Belt via Gap (similar)

Mossimo Washi Wedge Sandal via Target

Necklace via Forever21(similar)

Fossil Key-Per Trio (largest) via Macys

Today I Wore: Paris!

While in Paris this new year there was one "warm" day. It made it up to about 45F. Lovely enough to ditch the silk thermals and pants and go for a fun flirty skirt.

Sweater via H&M (DC)

Skirt via Forever21(web)

Tights by Hue via Macys (Virginia)

Over the Knee socks via H&M (London)

Norice Bootie by Lucky Brand via Piperlime (web)

Distrtessed Suedette Jacket via Forever21 (DC)

Giani Bernini Pocketbook via Macys (web)

Hat & Scarf knitted by my friends Amy&Katie and Ashley (bff love!)

Mmmmm... Hot Cocoa!

adventures in Parisian dressing rooms H&M

No matter where in the world I am, I just can't seem to resist an H&M and Paris was no exception (nor was London or Amsterdam!) I had plenty to try on and the line for the dressing rooms was a little absurd, but I was determined to try on some of the Versace for H&M collection. One super cool thing about the H&M I went to in Paris was that they have a collective dressing room for women. If you want to avoid the line for a private room they just take you into a large open space that is curtained off. Normally I would have been all about it, I've got no issues undressing in front of other ladies, but in this case it was best I didn't. I can just imagine the outrage when I whip out my camera and start taking pictures in a room full of half naked strangers. 

Unfortunately for us all though, the private dressing rooms had practically ZERO lighting. So out comes the flash... with a mirror... no good. These are the only images I could salvage.

I've seen this neon yellow skirt at bunches of H&M's and had resisted for as long as I could. In Paris I gave in. It's just lovely. Neeeeeon yellow. Yeah, neeeeeeeeeeon. The blouse I could give or take, not in love, but it fit well and was nice and silky.

Hellooooo Versace! 

I was seriously gonna buy this dress. It fits. It's fringey. It's green. Problem was the fringe sleeves were already snagging and pulling out. If something is already falling apart and it hasn't even left the store, I just can't spend the money. And it wasn't cheap. Sad, but probably a good decision in the long run.

Va Va Vooooooom!

This Versace was fun too, but too small. It hugged me super tight, which in a way was killer bombshell, but I doubt I could sit down without bustin' a seam. But how about that neckline! I love that it is asymmetrical. Majorly sexy.

Did any of you check out the Versace collection? What did you think?