DEEP BLUE SEA

Happy Friday everyone!
Currently in Budapest, so I thought I'd share some photos I snapped a couple weeks ago! ;)

[ :: Monif C. Malibu Swimsuit c/o :: ]

Monif C. is consistently making my swimsuit dreams into a reality. I can't gush enough about how much I love this suit. It just brings me SO. MUCH. HAPPINESS. The vibrant blue print, the fact that it's designed to look like a wetsuit (!!!), and the perfect fit basically have me obsessed.

I took this suit for a spin at the beach a couple weekends ago, hoping that the industrial strength zipper would stay put, and that the extra coverage would help me stay warm (and unburned!) while boogie boarding in the chilly Pacific waters! Needless to say, mission accomplished! No wardrobe malfunctions, and I managed to maintain feeling in all my extremities while in the water. Perfect.


This photo says it all! This suit makes me happyyyyyy. ^___^



Industrial strength zipper!


xoxo! To keep up with what I'm doing in Europe, follow me on Instagram here! :)

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN

IN YOUR SKIN

Every girl needs a swimsuit she feels awesome in and this suit totally does it for me. Does it hide every bulge, make me look 2 sizes smaller, or magically turn me into Beyonce? No. And I really wouldn't care for it to (aside from making me look like Beyonce...that would be pretty insane.). But I absolutely love the bright pink color and snakeskin-esque print, and I can't say enough about the fact that I spent an entire day out in the water and had ZERO wardrobe malfunctions. SO MUCH WIN.

[ :: H&M coverup (past season, but similar here) :: Swim Sexy swimsuit c/o swimsuitsforall :: ]

I get so many comments/emails/messages about how I'm lucky because I have a flat stomach, or skinny legs, and I'm here to tell you, SEE BELOW FOR THE TRUTH. lol! I'm far from flat-stomached, and definitely don't have skinny legs, but that doesn't mean I'm about to hide under something "flattering" and sit on the sidelines at the beach! I'm a water baby and always have been, so if there's snorkeling, swimming, or boarding to be done, you'd better believe I'll be out in the water, not giving a crap how people think I look in my swimsuit.





[ :: H&M coverup (past season--similar here) :: Swim Sexy swimsuit c/o swimsuitsforall :: ]

My favorite Hawaii memories took place while wearing this swimsuit. Big thanks to swimsuitsforall who hooked it up with this gorgeous suit, perfect for a long day of snorkeling and swimming at Hanauma Bay! xoxo!
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN

Hawaii Photo Diary (instagram edition)

Had such an incredible time in Hawaii. (Is it even possible to have a bad time in Hawaii??) Quick instagram and iPhone photo recap before I share my outfits with you over the next couple weeks. :) xoxo!
**Side note, just noticed that one of the people in the photo above looks like she or he is mooning the beach. lol.


Flying in a Rachel Pally dress was the best decision ever. Also, I could stare at palm trees swaying in the wind all day long.

If you haven't been to Hanauma Bay, go immediately. It's amazing. Seriously.

Because Asians always take pictures of food. See this tumblr for proof.

Waikiki - Obligatory photo of Duke.

I seriously didn't realize what I was getting myself into with this hike. Trudging through 6-inch mud? I wouldn't have brought such a cute bag.

Hiking, Waimea Falls (aka the Drowning Pool, which I totally didn't know until later or i wouldn't have been so eager to hop in! O_O), Swimsuits for All Swim Sexy suit, and the birthday boy! ♥♥♥

At Lanikai Beach halfway through our kayaking trip around Kailua.
Thanks for hosting us and showing us around Michael! Best tour guide ever! ;)

Stay tuned for outfits from the trip and an awesome giveaway from one of my new favorite emerging brands! :) You won't regret it! :)
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN

Plus Size Swim: Animal Instincts

[ :: Becca Etc swimsuit (available here) and coverup (available here) c/o :: ]
[ :: Merona swim bottoms (here) :: ]
[ :: Chloé sunglasses (on sale here) :: two lips wedges (in brown here) :: ]

Had such an insanely awesome weekend! SoCal had some crazy good weather, so we spent both days either at the pool, playing in the sand at the beach, or in the backyard grilling weird things like buffalo-sauced corn (it's actually really good :P).

Anyway, I wore this Becca Etc swimsuit for the first time! Totally smitten with it. The quality is amazing, and I LOVE. THIS. PRINT. It can be such a nightmare to find cute plus size swimsuits in bright colors and punchy prints, so when I laid eyes on this one at the Becca Etc Blogger Event, I knew for sure it was coming home with me! It's super comfortable, has good support, and the ruffled hem is so freaking cute! I do wish there were a bikini top in this print (I'd be ALL OVER THAT), but they do have several bikini options in coral and aqua! :)

What swimsuits are you guys on the lookout for right now? Cute one pieces? Sexy bikinis? Pieces to mix and match all summer? Let me know in the comments! :D ♥

Designer Spotlight: BECCA ETC

Last Friday, a few of my favorite bloggers and myself were invited to check out the new plus size swimwear line by Rebecca Virtue, BECCA ETC!

I can't express how excited I am to have another awesome plus size swimwear line out--BECCA ETC is full of flirty swimsuits in gorgeous colors, with fun details like sassy hardware and chic shapes, and an awesome selection of coverups perfect for going from the beach to drinks with the girls. What's amazing about this line is that there really is something for everyone--Becca Etc. includes bikinis in a variety of colors, tankinis in cute shapes with adorable crochet detailing, and chic one pieces for a little extra coverage.

 

Rebecca Virtue, designer for BECCA ETC

Wheeee~~

Me, Marie, Tulin, Reah, Ivory

Monique, Chenese, Rebecca, and Cid!

One of the things I loved about the BECCA ETC line is its awesome use of color and prints. All too often, plus size women are stuck with the basic black or navy one pieces in some tummy-cinching "control" fabric! I'm all for a little smoothing out, but sometimes you just want to look cute and not feel like you've got spanx on. Just check out all these colors and threads in their sewing room!

Onto the good stuff...here are a few of my favorite looks from the swimwear collection!

From the"Animal Instincts" collection! I'm totally getting that swimdress and one shoulder coverup. SO cute!

Continue reading for more photos of the BECCA ETC 2012 Swim Collection! :)

From the "blossom" collection. Cute print, LOVE the coverups!



Also from the "blossom" collection...Both the top and bottom are reversible! :P




Rebecca talking about her signature crochet pieces--the detailing is gorgeous! It's so nice to see colors and textures used on plus size swimsuits!

BECCA ETC also carries these shapes in basic black, bright coral, and aqua, and is currently offered in sizes 0x-2x, (ranging from a 14-22). In my opinion, it runs a little small, but, like most swimsuits, I'm sure it forms to your body with use. The attention to detail is fantastic--the tops have double reinforced boning on the sides, eliminating the need for an underwire (at least for me), and the hardware, and ruffles, and fabric textures are to die for. Overall, I'm super happy that in a category of plus size fashion (spon link) that is so often overlooked, BECCA ETC is seeking to fill a gap!

BECCA ETC can currently found online at Everything But Water, Bonton.com, and will be stocked at Nordstrom, Macy's, and Everything But Water stores.

For more updates on what's happening at BECCA ETC, follow them on Facebook!
You can also check out the full 2012 collection here!

Shopping Spotlight: Favorite Plus Size Swimwear!

It's getting to be that time of year again! :D 

Time for vacations, beaches, pools, and sun--aka SWIMSUIT SEASON! *cue creepy Jaws music* 

For curvy women, finding sexy, chic swimwear can be quite the daunting task. Retailers seem to think we want to cover ourselves with as much fabric as possible, and only go out in black. While I'm all for black swimsuits (goes with everything, and looks awesome with gold jewelry!) I can't stand the idea that plus-size women should cover up as much as possible in public. Every woman should get the chance to flaunt her curves in a sexy swimsuit with a smile and a ton of confidence! :D

Check out some of my favorite swimsuits for this season--I love that designs are getting more daring and eye catching! :D

[1. Modcloth Retro Swim Suit: $90] [2. Evans Morrocan Print One Piece: $50] [3. Forever21+ Floral Print Suit: $30]

[4. Asos Corsage One Piece: $27] [5. Miraclesuit Plus Size Underwire Swimsuit: $144] [6. Roamans One Shoulder Swimdress: $60]

[7. Monif C. Capri Bikini: $160] [8. Old Navy Leopard Print One Piece: $55] [9. Monif C. Espana: $118]

I own numbers 5 and 9, and loooove them!! The Miraclesuit has an underwire which I can DEFINITELY appreciate (no possibility of slippage when I'm at the beach or swimming at the pool!) and the Monif C. suits are just about the most original, gorgeous suits available in plus sizes. I'm seriously contemplating picking up the Asos Corsage Swimsuit as well--I love the little flowers that line the neckline! Also, that Moroccan print suit from Evans is taunting me in the best way possible. All I want to do is wear that suit with super tall wedges, a floppy hat, and a sheer sarong.

All while laying out on a gorgeous beach somewhere far, far away. 

What will you guys be wearing when swimsuit season rolls around??

Yours, Etc.

CurvyGirlChic