Can I Pull Off "Retro Chic"?

Or will I just look old and/or silly? My swim suit and swim dress came in the mail today. I am reposting the pictures from online instead of modeling them myself (um, ya - no!) SO - I tried them on and now I am wondering will I look "retro-chic" (definitely the look I was going for) or just plain old lady? Will this really work for me?

To Swim or Not To Swim?

Okay, so this was no easy task for me because winter is approaching and the selection of swimsuits to purchase locally is null. So, I have no other choice but to buy online - which absolutely terrifies me. Agh! Every girl out there knows that a swimsuit is not an easy purchase, in fact, it borderlines torture. Finding the perfect fit, the right amount of coverage, and the proper support is the triathlon of swimsuit shopping. Once achieved, it is the trifecta! Add the additional battle of need vs. function and finding the suit to compliment both, now that is a real dilemma. I don't really feel all that self conscious in a swim suit. Maybe I should feel more self conscious because this bod ain't what it used to be (not that it was all that to begin with.) But for some reason, the way I look or don't look, for that matter, has never really bothered me all that much. I know I could drop a few (okay maybe more) pounds. I know I could tone up, but I am not going to sit on the ship (or at home during the summer) just because I don't look like a supermodel in my bathing suit. So, these are my choices. We did not actually "swim" on the ship during our first cruise, but we did do a lot of lounging (aka sleeping for Mark) in our suits on the deck. We did go snorkeling in St. Thomas, though I don't think snorkeling will be on the agenda this time around, we do plan to spend a lot of time on the beach when we are at the "private island." I definitely want a suit that I will feel comfortable walking around on the beach, probably more of a swim dress, and another suit for soaking up the rays on ship. Suit 1 and 4 are also available in scarlet red and steel blue. Which ones do you like, what are your picks?

To the Nines

So we haven't even decided where exactly we will be cruising, and I am already picking out dresses for our formal dinners. Go figure. I mean really, would you expect anything less from me? All I really need, clothing wise, is a couple of dresses and the inevitable swimsuit (I will post more about that when I get the courage to actually look for one.) So, these are my choices. I really can't decide on the two that I would like. The first one is my absolute favorite. Very classy and elegant! The remaining three are shown in different colors than I would pick, but these were the only photos available. The second dress would be smoke in color; more like a titanium. I like this one because it is cute and sassy. The third dress would be a wine color. It is very plain in the front and detailed with bustling in the back - a perfect bridesmaid dress. The fourth dress Mark chose and the color would be "sterling orchid" which is lavender with a metallic sheen. The criss-cross is joined with a faux crystal broach - very exquisite. Now the tough part...A Decision. SO - let me know which one you like. The best part is...each dress is on sale at David's Bridal for a mere $39. How great is that! A beautiful dress and a bargain. Heck, I might buy all four. Woohoo!

iPhone

I know, I know, I know I said that I wouldn't do it. Spend that kind of money on a phone that is, BUT I did. AND I am lovin' every minute. BECAUSE it is really more than just a phone. It's an iPod, a palm pilot, a GPS, etc. etc. etc. all in one. Over the years, I have easily spent many, many times more on all the other gadgets this "phone" houses. Can you tell I am still trying to convince myself? The downside (and at first I almost returned it just because of this) I can't picture message anymore. Aw, shucks! I am definitely over that. Mark is love, love, lovin' his, too.

Surfer Quilt for Brendan's Room

Brendan's bedroom is nearing completion. Items remaining: tiki bar/raffia hut window treatment and bedding. Window - later, bedding - now. So, a few months ago we found two great Tommy Hilfiger surfer themed sheet sets at TJMaxx (sorry Uncle Jeff.) All that is left are the quilts I promised, promised, pinkie-promised Brendan. I drew the design for the top bunk and Brendan drew the design for the bottom bunk. I am doing the top bunk first because I want to incorporate the leftover fabric into the quilt for the bottom bunk. So here is the sketch for the top bunk, keep in mind he has a "T" bunk system, so the top quilt has to be viewed cross ways...

and these are the fabrics we are going to use

Surfboard 1.) the two skull and rose fabrics in a old-school, vertical pattern 2.) camo shark fabric 3.) money fabric with an outlined American flag vertex 4.) cherry red guitar on a music note fabric background 5.) a water outlined flame long board 6.) tie dyed star fabric bordered in white with 3 white stars 7.) Chinese letter fabric behind green dragon with orange and yellow striped belly and 8.) the buckeye board - created to resemble a OSU football helmet in scarlet and gray complete with earned buckeye stickers. All of the boards with be "leaning" against a rickety fence in the sand. I might even "carve" a few love tags in the fence - maybe MW + JW in a heart. The back of the quilt with be the yellow/orange hibiscus print bound in white damask striped fabric. Anxious to see it? I am!

Cute shoes, huh?

Mark bought them for me for Christmas, and I love, love, love them. However, I have never/ever had blisters soooo big in my life. Mark was super excited over the blisters, especially the one on my heel. It was huge -- at least the size of a quarter, and he wanted to pop it for me. UGH!!! It must be a boy thing because I wasn't too pleased. It hurt, which he was surprised about. As if his blisters have never hurt, but he continued for at least 30 minutes telling me about the art of blister popping. As if I could be convinced or something. Needless to say, me and my blisters are carefully walking around in flip flops ;).

www.shabbyapple.com

I stumbled onto this website and have fallen, absolutely fallen, in love. The absolute cutest dresses and accessories for all sizes. Stuff for me, stuff for the girls. A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!). Now if only I can muster the courage to buy clothing online - or maybe I will have a trunk show. The Sabrina dress, which is on sale, is going on my wish list.