Finding a cute modest swimsuit!

Summer is here and my least favorite moment has arrived... finding a modest swimsuit. 

I hate this experience so much that last time I found a swimsuit I liked I bought two... so I’d never have to shop for one again.

But here’s the problem. I did not anticipate my baby bump leftovers :) So although I haven’t tried... I do not think my favorite swimsuit still fits. Ahhh

So with only 3 days left before going to the lake I have a MAJOR problem...

Luckily there seems to be a few more options available in stores these days... When I was a kid not even the conservative families wore shorts with their swimsuits... I’m pretty sure our family invented modest swimsuits :) - One of my greatest summer memories was when an entire community (I believe they were Mennonite) came to swim at the beach by us... and we all matched wearing shorts and tees while swimming.

Now at least there is this hip niche market for modest swimsuits, be it shorts, skirts, etc. Still there is a long checklist to find the perfect modest swimsuit.

If I don't find a swimsuit... I'll be stuck wearing this over my too small one.
Cute, but I'd rather not swim in it.

Checklist for modest swimsuit

#1 Covers your bottom - shorts are very practical... skirts are more cute :) However whichever option you choose make SURE it is bathing suit material or it won’t dry and it is a nightmare!! (And some pools won’t let you wear shorts, unless it is a “swimwear”)

#2 It has a high neckline. This one is tricky... you can put a small piece of material between a v-neck. You want to see what it looks like when you move. Sometimes the best option on the hanger is horrible in real life.

#3 It cannot be see-through. Many times high top racing type swimsuit seem great until wet... and they look like saran wrap...

#4 Your belly... truly - I feel like you are in one of two categories: a) You do look great - in which case you can save your look for your special someone or b) Like me there’s just a little too much you to show off for the world :) - either way cover your belly :)

Bonus: Oh yeah and you want to look cute! If you’re like me this is secretly your #1 on the list.

We will see how my shopping goes... I’ll keep you updated! 

Does anyone have good ideas for modest bathing suits?

If you’re wondering why the deal is with modest swimwear... here is an incredible article.

Look cute in the rain!

Crash! 

Just as I was about to take What I Wore Wednesday pictures the downpour began... and not just a little rain... head for Noah’s Ark the flood is upon us :) So I took a new angle for my post... 

How to look cute in the rain!

#1 Choose a basic ponytail... If you start with something simple you won’t be as disappointed if the rain dampens it. Nothing is worse than spending an hour on curls only to look like a frizzy poodle after 5 minutes.

#2 Wrap a cute fashion scarf around your hair... Yes, moisture still gets in, but it can help preserve your look when you double team that with an umbrella.

#3 Wear flip flops. I hate soaking wet shoes... At least with flip flops your feet will dry.

#4 Wear light materials that will dry quickly. After 10 minutes back inside you’ll be good as new.

#5 Smile and embrace the rain! If you are already soaked, quit fighting it... splash in every puddle... know that you are living the end of every romantic movie where the heavens open up, the hero arrives, and they kiss in the rain!

After the rain everything seems greener, there is a beautiful fresh smell outside. This reminds me of life when it seems I’m caught in a storm or keep landing in puddles. 

The puddles aren’t going away so you can cry over wet shoes or laugh in the moment and wait for the rainbow!

In there a puddle in your life that needs a laugh?

Cute Modest Shorts!

Like a good friend...modest shorts are hard to find!

Especially now that I am a mom I need shorts that I can be jumping all over the place while wearing.  


It seems like you can find shorts that are cute... but they ride up super short when you sit. Or wear my husband's shorts that are longer, but are too big and boy looking.

However this year I found two perfect pairs of shorts!

#1 These ones are super cute... but they are also a little bit longer and more fitting around your legs... So even if you’re chasing a baby under a table, or sitting on the ground, they stay long on your legs!

The cons to these shorts... They are slightly bulkier, so would not be as comfortable for working out, and would show if you wore them under an outfit.

However those problems are solved by pair #2

These one are quite a bit shorter and a swishy material...

These would be great for working out. Plus they are perfect for wearing under dresses! You do not see them at all. I didn’t wear dresses for a few months because I couldn’t nurse in them... (super sad) But now with these shorts, I can wear all my favorite dresses, and still be able to nurse!

Oh and they were only about $7.00!! That is always a challenge too... that when you finally find something modest it is way too expensive!

Cute, function, cheap... I’m sold!

Have you found any modest shorts?

5 Steps to Simple Beauty

Wow! You look really pretty today!

Sometimes it is the simple things in life that make us look beautiful...

Coming back late from a wedding out of town and oversleeping... meant that I was creative with my morning outfit. I choose some simple black stretch pants, a black semi-fancy tee, and a pink sweater (open because it really doesn’t fit well when buttoned). Then I chose some white flower wedges, because all my other shoes were packed.

It was simple, but had a neat, clean look.  

#1 Find a pair basic black pants - this can be the base for outfits

#2 Find a simple white or black shirt that looks flattering

#3 Add a flair of color - this can be a necklace, sweater, scarf...

#4 Look through your closet for neglected items... amidst all our stuff we can forget about some great clothes.

#5 Wear all your different shoes... I tend to buy a pair of shoes, and wear them everyday until they break. Compared to some, I do not have that many pairs of shoes... But I need to remember to mix it up.

Bonus: Be confident and smile! Our attitude is the most radiating thing. A smile can transform any outfit into brilliance!

How do you dress simply beautiful?

3 Easy Steps to Fabulous Fashion

“You look so fashionable!” 

I looked over my shoulder to see if they were talking to someone else. I have been called many things in my life, but fashionable was never on the list. I made a resolution with my husband this year for us both to become more fashionable.

Top three things I discover while trying to dress fashionably!!

My long hair when I first met my hubbie!

#1 Know your limits... I am not someone who is willing to spend 45 minutes on my hair in the morning... I used to have gorgeous long hair... I would always get compliments when I would wear it down... about 1x month. Now I have a cute short haircut. I wear my hair down way more often... For me wearing my hair down and short is way cuter than long but always up in a ponytail.

Life with baby = Five minute cute casual look for a wedding!

#2 Try new things... I have been using the same blush and lip gloss for years... The result. I look great right when I put it on but it fades within a hour or two. I have been reading the Small Things Blog for great ideas on hair and fashion and I discovered a new favorite lip stick... and it works! I can put it on in the morning and it last until lunch... and then redo at lunch and it lasts the rest of the day!

Enjoying my pink lipstick to match my shirt! 

#3 Bust out of your comfort zone... I laid my clothes out and realized that everything I owned was pink... and while I love pink (and hate black) sometimes mixing it up is the best thing to do. I starting realizing looking at Pinterest boards that black can make a really nice base for outfits... allowing the color to really pop. Now my black sundresses are some of my favorites. They are very slimming and my color accents really stand out.

How do you stay fashionable? Do you have any helpful tips?

Two Minute Outfit Upgrade!

Have you ever found yourself racing out the door... but knowing you need to look great? I know I have so I started my two minute outfit upgrade!

For me this is my pink flower scarf and a pearl necklace. It amazes me the way it takes a simple outfit and adds just a touch of beauty!

Other great 2 minute outfit upgrades...

#1 Paint your nails before you walk out the door and let them dry while driving to work

#2 Put on open-toe shoes then paint your toes before you walk out the door

#3 Take your hair out of a ponytail - and shake it out for wind blown casual look

#4 Just touch up your lipstick and blush

#5 Grab a pair of great shoes to spice up your outfit

#6 Smile at your baby! Nothing is more beautiful than a happy mom! 

What is your two minute outfit upgrade?

Pinterested in getting a haircut

I feel like the concept of getting your haircut has

been transformed by the invention of Pinterest! 

I have been so excited about getting my haircut just a breath of fresh air and newness. But the morning of my haircut I suddenly panicked... I wasn’t sure if I really knew what I wanted or if I would be able to explain in correctly.

Then I thought of Pinterest... In about 10 minutes I whipped together a board of cute blonde haircuts. It was awesome! I walked in for my haircut and was able to show a variety of different cute options.

The result... A fabulous haircut that I adore!

See my hair before the cut 

Where do you get your inspiration for your haircuts? Is there a way that Pinterest has transformed your life?

Want to lose Weight Quickly...

...get a haircut!

I saw that at a small barber shop about 10 years ago... and have not quit laughing since.

I’ve had a lot of posts lately about Healthy Snacks, and Skinny Jeans... and I felt like this just fit right in my theme. It is  amazing how light you feel after getting a good haircut. I just feel like I’m walking on sunshine.

Sometimes a good laugh, a new haircut, or painted nails, is just what you need to kick yourself into high gear for actually losing weight, getting organized or achieving your goals.

What gets you motivated?

A Well Suited Outfit

In my quest for flattering clothes my mom stumbled upon a winner at a garage sale... long suity type coats. They are incredible!! Being that they are long they have several advantages:

1. They look fabulous while being worn open! This means that they don’t have to button over my little bit of baby blub left around my waist.

2. They dress up even a simple outfit, so I can take a basic shirt/pants combo and make it look profession.

3. It accentuates skinny legs! It gives a flowy look on top and you just see two skinny legs on the bottom :) Wonderful!!

The best part... She was able to get several different ones for like $2.00 each!

Two questions...

Which is your favorite? 

What is your favorite dress it up and look great clothes item?

Skinny or at least the jeans 2

So I have a theory, if you find a pair of shoes you like buy one in every color, or you’ll regret it. No I don’t have millions of fabulous shoes that match every outfit, but rather I live with the constant regret of only buying one pair. Like the hot pink flats I bought for only $2 but didn’t bother to get the purple and dark pink pair. Or the $5 pair of hot pink kitten heels  I bought passing up the blue, green, and yellow ones.

Recently I posted about my new pair of skinny jeans and after getting a lot of compliments I realized, I need to go buy another pair!! So I raced back to the store. I was overjoyed to see that they had plenty of jeans… 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18… There’s one problem with that. NO 14!!!!! I checked out some other styles and they just were not as cute.  I needed those skinny jeans!  So I did something brave… (for me at least) I tried on the red pair. They were sold out of 14 in jean, black, and kaki, the three colors I wanted and felt safe with. But I was bold and took the leap.

Ok... So I don't look quite as good
as Taylor Swift but I am working on it!

They looked fabulous! I was amazed. I feel like a whole new world of fashion was opened up to me! Color skinny jeans... Jeggings :-)

My takeaway is try new things... I have fabulous new pants, almost Taylor Swiftian... and these I can wear to work so I can look great at home and at work!

Have you ever tried something new with your fashion and been surprised? I would love to hear about it!

Sizes and Self Esteem

A moment of revelation came while discussing my son at work today. I was bragging about what a big boy he is... wearing 6 month clothes while he is not yet 4 months. A woman commented that baby sizes never quite made sense to her. Then it hit me... As a mom the pediatrician is constantly asking if my baby is gaining enough weight... this is incredibly stressful because I start feeling belittled and incompetent, especially with nursing. I always want my boy to gain weight and get chubby. (He was born at 9.35 lbs and dropped to 7.11 lbs so we had some scary times).

I truly think they make baby clothes so you will feel good about yourself when you get your baby dressed. If your baby isn’t gaining weight quickly the last thing you need is the tag on his clothes telling you that you are failing! You already have a pediatrician, and many others to give you that opinion.  

Babies’ clothes are the exact opposite of adult’s. More expensive adult clothes can be great because the sizes run bigger... you feel skinnier just by looking at the tag. In turn you feel like supermom when you little tike is wearing clothes that are a whole size bigger.

And then there’s bridesmaid dresses... they are made EXTRA EXTRA small so your self esteem goes down no matter what size you are. My bridesmaid dress just came in the mail, and I must say three months postpartum is a bad time for bridesmaid dresses. However even though it is an 18W it doesn’t look as bad as I imagined it. Yes, I’d love to be skinnier and not have that size. But considering the situation its not that bad. (ok... the lil guy was up all night so I didn't get to take a pic in the dress... I will post that soon)

Maternity pants and blouse :)

Bottom line it's not about the tag... For you or your baby. I know I try my absolute best to keep my little guy healthy and growing. Now (finally!) He is gaining weight like a little bear. But I have friends doing the same things and their babies aren't growing nearly as fast... but they are INCREDIBLE moms!!!

Just like... I'd like to believe I'm a great mom even though I'm still rocking maternity pants and my girlfriend was back to normal after a week.

How had your journey been? With you or your baby? I would love to hear from you.