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15
May

Let’s talk swimsuits

posted by rachel, May 15, 2012

Girls, I waited until today to chat about this because I know none of you want to start off your Mondays thinking about swimwear. Am I right? Because unless your name is Gisele Bundchen, shopping for swimwear is about as much fun as shopping for a doctor to do your colonoscopy.

Or at least, that’s what I think.

Hello? Hello? Is this thing on? ::tapping microphone::

I myself am a one-piece swimsuit kind of girl. But can I be honest? I really wish I was in a 2-piece. One-pieces can so so so easily sneak into the frumpy zone, can they not? So, why am I not wearing a 2-piece, you ask? A few reasons: my childbirthing size-12 hips and thighs, for one. My deeply-ingrained ideas of modesty, for another (I blame my uber-conservative high school dresscode). And finally, the rest of the fear stems from exposing the serious scars on my tummy from my two ulcerative colitis surgeries. Oh, and that c-section. Oh, and my uneven lumpy tummy that I’ve had since birth. So there. Oh, okay, and my thighs. …… Sooooo, clearly there are a lot of body issues going on here. In the end, it’s never a bad idea to cover up, is it? But at the same time, I don’t want to look like a nun either. So! I’m learning to love myself in my one-piece swimsuit, and I’m going to show you how to do it too.

Here’s what I keep in mind when I’m swimsuit shopping:

1. Step away from the boring black one-piece. Sure, we all love a little black dress, but the ubiquitous one-piece black swimsuit doesn’t have enough personality for me on its own. In short, it’s boring. I want something with a little color to set me apart from a sea of little black onepieces. Here are my top picks for colorful swimsuits.

A // B // C // D // E // F // G // H // I // J // K // L

2. I personally don’t want something sporty; I want something glamorous. No to the Speedo swimsuit; rather, think Grace Kelly in the Cote d’Azur. Think Aqualillies – do you know who the Aqualilies are? These girls are amazing – they’re the hottest new act in LA and they are making synchronized swimming cool again. They are the epitome of vintage seaside glamour without having all their goodies on display.

I keep these images above and more (there’s that mood board again!) in mind when I’m swimsuit shopping to help me stay on course. Finally, just because I’m a mom doesn’t mean I have to choose function over form. I shouldn’t have to be frumpy mom in the one-piece swimsuit equivalent of yoga pants just because I’m chasing Jude the Dude from diving board to slide.

3. Accessorize! Finish off your look with amazing accessories. This is especially great if you don’t want to be perpetually exposed at all times. Again, channel your inner Brigitte Bardot and reach for that glamorous straw hat and prettily patterned sarong. Choose interesting sunglasses and footwear. Don’t wrap up in your beach towel; reach for a sarong or a button-down shirt in linen to toss on over your suit.

4. Make your hair work for you. Do something fun with your hair. Scarves, headbands, topknots, etc. are all awesome ways to complete your look for hot weather. I’m particularly interested in using scarves as headbands this year.

5. Don’t be afraid to spend a little money. But don’t be afraid to shop around, either. Maybe you love all the swimsuits at, for example, J.Crew. Order several online to try on at home – less stress & better lighting – and then mail back the ones you don’t like. Or, send them all back and then do some hunting on eBay for the same suit. I got a new and unworn J.Crew swimsuit (that I wore here) for over 50% off; it’s in last year’s colorways, but I absolutely adore it. I knew what size worked for me in J.Crew swimwear so I was able to shop around and get a deal. This also works with practically any other brand on eBay or shopping sites such as Gilt, etc.

Finally, as I was laying on a chaise longe in Las Vegas, surveying all the bodies in near-states-of-undress around me, I realized that it is highly probable that we are all in the same boat. I can almost guarantee you that there is not one woman out by the pool who isn’t thinking, “I am such a faker out here right now compared to all these other beach babes.” But the fact is, thick or thin, tall or short, we all have our body issues. And frankly, nobody else at the pool or beach cares about your problem areas because each one of them is thinking about their own problem areas. So why don’t we all heave a collective sigh and just stop worrying about it? Let’s make a pact this summer that we are going to stop focusing on what we perceive is wrong with our bodies, and START focusing on the fun that we’re having in our swimsuit.

But first, I’m going to go apply some self-tanner, ok? Ok.

Let's Chit-Chat { 14 }

24
Apr

Shorty Short Shorts

posted by rachel, April 24, 2012

I alternately titled this post: Shorts for Girls Who Don’t Wear Shorts. Internet, I am not a girl who wears shorts. I live in mortal fear of shorts. It may have something to do with my general aversion to seeing my wobbly bits. Or, it may have something to do with the fact that I was born a size 12 with child-birthing hips and have stayed a size 12 ever since. OR it may have something to do with the fact that I haven’t worn shorts in public since roughly 1994 when I was sporting these gems from County Seat. ::slaps forehead::
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Apparently striped shorts from County Seat are so hipster vintage that they are now appearing on Etsy (see here). Simon howled with laughter when he saw these. Ohhhh, but wait! Did I mention he had the guys’ version of these? Yup. We were style ICONS, I tell you!

So. For years it’s been No Shorts. Maybe it was also my complete & utter horror at seeing wee tiny shorts with barely-there inseams hanging on the racks. I could imagine nothing worse on my child-birthin’ hips. But then Susan had to go and start tweeting back in, oh, FEBRUARY about how we all needed to get out and buy our shorts for the season right then. I nearly spit out my iced tea and banged my head on the keyboard as I read it and then promptly reached for the anxiety meds. Susan kept encouraging me though. And she had a point – the good selection has already dwindled, and it’s only just now April. I should’ve started earlier.

So. I’ve been embarking upon a quest to find The Right Shorts For My Thighs. And I’m just gonna tell you, it has not been easy. I’ve tried J.Crew, J.Crew Outlet, Gap, Banana Republic, and more. You name it, I’ve tried it. What I did learn, though, from this foray was that I was not picking the correct inseam. The shorts were either too long or too short. Then this last weekend, I hopped into Loft and promptly grabbed a slew of shorts in a variety of inseams and headed to the dressing room.

Here’s the thing. I don’t really subscribe to the idea that, “Oh, I could never wear _____.” You know what I’m talking about – those women that say, “Oh, I could never wear yellow.” “Oh, I could never wear a pencil skirt.” “Oh, I could never wear skinny jeans.” I simply don’t believe it. Yes, you CAN. You may just have to go to the ends of the earth to find the right one. It all boils down to fit & proportion. Simple dimple.

Ermm, dimple maybe is not the right term when discussing thighs.

BUT! Let me just tell you – I found love in a hopeless place, and the Marisa cotton twill shorts fit the bill. I present to you Shorts Nirvana for Those ~~Cursed~~ Blessed With Curvy Hips.

Coming in at a respectable 4″ inseam, the proportion is just right for my body. I think I could even get away with a 5″, but when I tried 6″, I was heading into dangerous Frumpy Mom Territory. And! I love that they came in a variety of fun colors (the green I’m wearing above seem to be sold out online but there were several in-store) and could easily be dressed up or down. Suddenly I have a whole new excitement for warm weather. Sure, skirts and dresses are still my go-to, but I seriously cannot stop thinking about all the fun things I’m going to wear these with!

A // B // C // D // E // F // G // H // I // J // K

Now that I’ve found The Ones, I’ve snatched them up in a variety of colors. I even grabbed these cute Ikat-inspired ones in my favorite cherry red color. Plus they were all 40% off with the Friends & Family sale this past weekend (take heart, though: it seems in my experience that Loft has a sale every other day, so keep an eye out).

Also, you should check out Susan’s latest post about her great hunt for shorts. She has some excellent shopping tips!

So I’ve gotta know – are you a shorts kind of girl? Where have you found your perfect pair?

Let's Chit-Chat { 18 }

17
Apr

Spring Beauty

posted by rachel, April 17, 2012

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/.

With an early spring here in Oklahoma, that means the humidity is rising and the temperature is scaring us all into wondering about what summer will bring. It’s always an abrupt change from dry and windy to humid and heavy. I always have to make a changeup in my beauty routine when the seasons change. AHH, OKLAHOMA!

No matter your location, spring means that skin that hasn’t seen the light of day in months is suddenly out there (hello, white legs! Bonjour, scaly heels!). So let’s talk about what changes I make when the temperature rises.

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When it comes to skincare, regardless of the time of year, I’m a fastidious moisturizer and exfoliator. My skin just looks and feels better when I exfoliate (gently) everyday and then follow up immediately with an SPF moisturizer. And when I say immediately, I mean before the water dries from your skin as you step out of the shower. In warmer weather, I choose a moisturizer that’s lighter in feel and always with an SPF over 25. Don’t get me wrong – I definitely spent several years of my youth baking out in the sun but those days have passed. I’m learning to embrace the pale!

Plus, with my blonde hair, blue eyes and pale skin, I always add a huge broad-rimmed hat if I’m going to be outdoors for any length of time. It’s chic & glamorous and it adds an extra layer of protection to my fair complexion.

For day, I keep the makeup minimal with a brush of eyeshadow and a few swipes of mascara. If we’ve got an event to attend in the evening, it’s easy to switch up the look with eyeliner and darker shadows. And, like everyone else in the blogosphere, I’m mad for coral and red lipsticks. But to keep it from getting too heavy-handed, I layer the lipsticks with a simple lip balm. Those bright lipsticks also make for gorgeous cream blushes (when used with a light hand).

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As a self-confessed sandal junkie, it’s important to me to get my haven’t-seen-the-light-of-day-since-September white legs ready for short skirts and bejeweled sandals. Again I always exfoliate in the shower with moisturizing/exfoliating soap (Dove makes a great one) and then slather on the lotion immediately before the water can dry from my skin. Feeling too pale? Go ahead and get that self-tanner on, too, if you’re feeling self-conscious.

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Finally, I finally went and got my first manicure and pedicure of the season last week and I felt like a new woman. Isn’t it funny how the littlest things can make you feel so pulled together? I am officially ready to hit the town, even if it is just to run to the park with Jude or out to the movies with Simon.

Tell me – what are your spring beauty routines? Do you change anything up?

Let's Chit-Chat { 3 }

16
Apr

How to Survive Growing Out Your Hair

posted by rachel, April 16, 2012

Can we all agree that hair is a sensitive topic to our self-esteem? There are so many emotions linked to hair. I have zero doubt that each & every one of you out there can recount stories of hair trauma and I am here today to begin that conversation. After almost 20 years (YES! 20! Two-thirds of my LIFE!) of having short hair, I have been embarking upon the great journey of Growing Out My Hair. For over a year now, I’ve been growing, growing growing, and while I’m not done yet, I’m amazed that I still don’t entirely recognize myself when I look in the mirror. Isn’t that crazy? I don’t even entirely feel like I’ve established my identity with long hair yet either. Heck, my own mother didn’t recognize me from the back at church a few weeks ago!

My worst hair trauma was undoubtedly at the tender age of 15 when I took in a photo of Josie Bisset from Melrose Place (a show I had never even seen) and I exited the salon in tears with a complete & utter boy’s haircut. It was awful. I begged Mom to let me stay home from school for, oh, the rest of my life, but she said I had to go. And so I marched into school with a pit in my stomach and promptly burst into tears. After that, it seemed like too much of a pain to grow it out, so I let it stay in various stages of Short.

So, allow me to present A Brief History of My Hair, followed up by my 7 tips to Surviving the Great Grow Out.

Whew. That was exhausting. Hair therapy right here, folks!

Now. Let’s move on to how to survive the Great Grow-Out.

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1. Figure out if growing your hair out is what you really want to do. Are you ready for a long-term commitment? Because that’s what it’s going to be. It isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon.

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2. Find your source of inspiration. Start collecting photos of hair you like. I like to use Pinterest because it’s so easy to organize everything. I also follow a few hairdressers on there for inspiration too. Start with photos of celebrities whose hair you admire, then find others you like via hair blogs, fashion magazines, blogs, etc.

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3. Make a plan of attack with your hairdresser. Bring in photos – I bring in my iPad to the salon so we can look at photos together. My stylist is able to easily tell me what will and will not work on my face or hair type. I like to show her stuff I like, but also stuff I really don’t like.

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4. Purchase cute accessories to get you through the growing-out phase. This is the hardest part. There will be days when you want to throw in the towel and brandish the scissors. PUT THE SCISSORS DOWN. Get thee some cute headbands, hair ties, or whatever you need to get you through. There were weeks where it felt like all I did was wear my hair in a ponytail in different variations. Booooring, but it kept me from cutting my hair. (image source)

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5. Stop cutting your hair. Simple as that. This only works once you’ve got hair that’s roughly chin-length. Anything shorter will require maintenance trims to shape it up as you’re growing it out. Otherwise you just look like you live in a cave. Continue to color your hair as necessary. (image source)

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6. Feeling the itch to cut something? Have your stylist cut face-shape-appropriate bangs or face-framing layers to give your growing-out style something different. Getting big heavy fringey bangs was the #1 thing that got me over the hump. I finally felt like I had a style change without sacrificing the length I’d been working so hard to grow.