Another swimsuit post for your enjoyment (or frustration, if you’re like me–and wished all swimwear was as glamorous nowadays!). One comment that kept popping up after the last post (here’s posts #1 and #2 too), was the fact that many of you found these images refreshing because the gals looked feminine and curvy. I think after several decades of mass fashion feeding us the idea that only certain types of figures are acceptable in a swimsuit, we’ve forgotten how glamorous a woman can look in a suit that flatters the female form. I’ll take a nipped in waist and 40s-esque sweetheart neckline any day over a string bikini! Just looking at these pictures makes me feel a lot less terrified of wearing a swimsuit–although none of mine currently are even close to being as fantastic as these are!

If you haven’t had enough of my swimsuit spam posts, I think I have one more in the works… lol. Then maybe I’ll have finally spent enough time looking and actually start making my own! (Sailor Husband has even offered to make sure I actually act on all the talk!)

[ last but not least the glamorous Miss Ginger. I adore her sunglasses! ]

I still haven’t gotten around to starting on my own, vintage inspired swimsuit, mostly because I haven’t totally made up my mind about the style I want to go with! (Plus, somehow June is slipping away from me and I’ve literally had no time to sew! I’m suffering from withdrawal!) I think I’m 90% sure I want to do a 40s style two piece (it’s just easier with my long torso), but there have been some maillots that are calling my name! lol. So while I continue to waffle (how typical of me!), I thought I’d round up some more inspiration, this time featuring photos of classic film stars sporting their beach wear best! (You can catch up on post #1 and #2 if you missed them.) Today I’m focusing soley on two piece ensembles, and next time it’ll be all maillots. Enjoy!

Of course Ava and Marilyn get their own collages, because not only were they gorgeous gals, but I have a ton of swimsuit pictures of them both!

[ urban outfitter's open back dress, anthropologie's tic-tac-toe blouse. ]

It seems a bit silly to be thinking of spring already: considering the cold snap we’ve had in Florida (it’s gotten as chilly at the mid 20s at night!). But the arrival of a new Anthropologie catalog and browsing some other fashion sites has given me some ideas of possible inspirations for springtime sewing. Not that any of these will be made or even make their way into the things I do make–I muse over ideas quite a bit that never go further than a doodle in my notebook and a few scribbled notes! I just find the idea of gathering and contemplating the pro’s and con’s of certain ideas to be conducive to motivating me! lol.

I nearly fell off the sofa when I saw the Urban Outfitter’s dress. I’m usually not swayed by UO (the fit model they use for their clothes are usually so off to how I’m shaped), but this dress pulled me in with it’s quiet stripes and peek-a-boo back. But I don’t like the length (not sure how I feel about the exposed zipper either). So, I might make my own at some point. Need to draft up a decent t-shirt pattern first though. It would be a cinch to use that, plus a lightly gathered semi-circle skirt. Seems like an ideal workhorse design that I could just throw in the washing machine if done in the right material (always a perk for the gal who hates to iron!).

[ landing field skirt, into the night blouse, aniseed skirt (all from anthropologie). ]

Moving on to my beloved Anthro… Last year, none of the catalogs really captured me: the styles they were offering were just a bit too modern or blah for my liking. (But then again, I am excessively picky, as Sailor Husband likes to remind me regularly.) I love many of the drapey pieces they have in the current catalog though. Have you noticed some of the peplum blouses and interesting draping on skirts? Definitely reminding me of the mid forties (or maybe I just bring everything back to my favored decade).

I spent a good deal of time over the weekend looking through all the images on my computer for inspiration regarding my spring wardrobe. I think it’s definitely going to continue in the 40s vein; perhaps with a few twists here and there! I’m already dreaming of what fabric I’d like to track down to make some new outfits from…

Oh, and an update on the swing dance class: literally thirty minutes after I posted on Friday, I got an email saying it had been canceled because of low enrollment. Oh well… I guess I chalk this up to life happens and not to get my hopes too tied up in one thing. lol. Actually, I think we’ll just wait and see if any other classes are offered later in the spring. We’re trying to take it through the local community college, since it’s a lot more reasonable cost-wise than many of the overpriced dance studios around here. If at first you don’t succeed…

[ click for a larger view. ]

Am I writing too much about my love of autumn? Please forgive me, but I think it’s literally taking up all my free brain space at the moment! haha! In the spirit of revamping my wardrobe a tiny bit for the season, I wanted to share a few things that are making the rounds in my closet right now.

[ click for a larger view. ]

First up is this lovely carpet bag. It’s gigantic–literally like a small piece of luggage! But I still carry it around like a purse (silly me). My mother in law spotted it at the Waterford Fair last year when we were visiting, listened to me wax poetic about carpet bags (and how I didn’t have one), and surprised me with this lovely piece for Christmas! I didn’t use it a whole lot last winter, but lately it’s been in almost constant use.

[ click for a larger view. ]

Jeweled rings. I spotted some gorgeous (and pricey!) examples in the newest issue of Lula, and promptly set about finding my own, wallet friendly version. I found this at Pier 1 for about $4. (I actually got two, but the flower on the other popped off the ring. I just need to glue it back!) I go back and forth about wearing big rings, mostly because they tend to get caught in my hair. But this is just the thing to add a bit of glitz to any outfit. Again, it’s been in pretty constant rotation the last few weeks.

[ click for a larger view. ]

Finally, what “favored closet items” list would be complete without shoes? I have been searching high and low for some suede-upper shoes that I liked and could afford. On a whim, I stopped in Marshall’s (a department store discount place) this past weekend and found these. They’re the Madden Girl brand (which we know I already love), and fit the bill for black, suede shoes with a bit of an attitude. Sailor Husband doesn’t get the open toe though… hehe! I love the ruffle detail and the fact these are like no other shoe in my closet. Which is a good thing, because I have a tendency to keep buying the same style shoe over and over again! lol.

[ click for a larger view. ]

What wardrobe things are you enamored with right now??? Do spill the beans!

Oh! I must tell you about something I am really excited for… a little giveaway tomorrow! Keep your eyes open for the post–it’s been too long since I did a giveaway, and this one is really fun!

[ trying on the romper. sorry for the fuzziness of the photos; I took them with my cell! ]

After a less-than-successful day of thrifting (two out of the 4 places I had on my list were closed!), I decided to swing by Anthropologie on a lark. You all know I have an obsession with Anthropologie and have years worth of their catalogs saved for inspiration alone! Going into the store is always a treat, since I love browsing not only the clothes and home goods, but soaking up the creative vibes. Although, I have to admit, lately Anthro hasn’t been thrilling me quite like it used to. But while I was wandering around, I spotted this adorable, Scottie print romper.

Yes, romper. The style that I love on other people, but have shied away from adding to my own wardrobe. I’ve been convinced that with all my “junk in the trunk”, I couldn’t wear one without looking ridiculous. This piece was so cute, I trotted off to the fitting rooms before I had a moment to give it a serious thought. Although this one was a size too big (they didn’t have my size in stock), I was delighted with how it did look. It just goes to show me that cut is everything. (Just like shade/tint is everything when it comes to wearing colors!) Sadly, this piece was a little too spendy for my wallet, but it still was fun to try on. Now I’m thinking how I could make a similar romper! lol. (I know–running away with my ideas again!) Seems like the perfect style for this Florida weather: the ease of a dress (one piece) with the coolness of shorts.

Have you ever had one of those “aha!” moments with a style you hadn’t tried before? I think it’s good to push yourself stylistically from time to time; it always opens up new possibilities for one’s wardrobe!