Yes it’s that time of year again! While I sit and watch the final round at Augusta and wait for Hillary to make her big announcement I thought I would catch you up with my week in Fort Morgan. It was perfect. The weather was the best we’ve ever had at this time of year, the house was perfect, and everybody managed to relax. The kids surfed while my Husband and I indulged in some great holiday reading.
If you’re looking for a couple of book recommendations here are mine! I actually let my Husband choose for me from his previous reads – dangerous given the number of historical, academic books he reads but he chose well – ‘Lionel Asbo’ by Martin Amis and ‘The Dinner’ By Herman Koch.
Both are equally dark in their own way, but gripping, page turners too! ‘Lionel Asbo’ actually had me sniggering out loud at times with it’s insightful cultural references, and at other times the hairs on my neck stood on end, terrified about what might happen on the next page. ‘The Dinner’ left me with more unanswered questions than answered questions, and for me the ending was unsatisfying, but the journey there was intriguing! I’d love to hear your recommendations for my summer reads this year!
So while I read and relaxed my Husband was on boogie board duty. I say ‘duty’ – he actually loves it and there was really no hardship wandering down the steps to the ocean shore. All three of them here are in their Patagonia board shorts!
I’m afraid I have few outfit photos from the week – I took 3 pairs of denim shorts and wore one pair all week – the weather was so amazing I went from pjs to running gear to bikini back to pjs!
Bikini – Target (old)
Bikini – J.Crew (last year -similar here)
Jumpsuit – ASOS (similar here – I love these for throwing on over a bikini!)
T-shirt – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Shorts – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW)
Shoes – Adidas Adilettes (utterly in love with these!)
I did however manage to get Poppy to take this as we jumped in the car to head down to the Gulf. This jumpsuit is the ideal travel attire!
Jumpsuit – Splendid (old – similar here) // Sandals – Zara (old) // Bag – H&M
I will say that though I battle with my expanding waistline and I adapt to new bumps and scars, as I approach my 44th birthday this summer, I have never been happier or more content with my body in a bikini. Embrace it girls – if you do everyone else will! xx
Poppy's Style 
Love your comments about body acceptance – you look bloody brilliant & fabulous tan!
Thanks so much!! – I had a spray tan before I left so I wouldn’t bake in the sun! x
…oh dear
Absolutely fantastic. I wish more were as body confident as you. It’s such an attractive trait. You radiate happiness. You also look fabulous.
It’s harder and harder these days for women to be happy with their appearance – I hear so many people complain about needing to lose weight and they really don’t! As long as we try to be fit and healthy we should deal with the inevitable weight gain in middle age! x
You look great Joanna! That jumpsuit looks like it was made for you, it’s gorgeous. Looks like you had a great time, we were up to the east for a few days on Pensacola beach – missing it already! X
I know – we’re back down to the Gulf for a cheer competition this weekend – a long way to go for a weekend but it will be nice to have sand between my toes again!
You look absolutely radiant, from the inside out! Glad you enjoyed your holiday so much… we are hitting the Gulf beaches again this summer, can’t wait!
They are amazing beaches down there and such a variety of activities – we always choose the quieter beaches but maybe when the kids are older they will want more to do and we’ll move towards Destin etc. x
What an idyllic looking place…..not another soul in sight! You look fabulous, totally admire your confidence, you are glowing! xx
Thanks Michelle! The sun does wonders for us in small doses! I’m not always so confident really I do have my weak moments too – but I tell you working out does wonders for ones self esteem!
I am so with you on the ever expanding waistline. It just never seems to come off like it did in my 30s?! But I do also agree that beauty comes from within and if you feel gorgeous you certainly send out that same gorgeous vibe. I try to always remember how well this old body has supported me all these years and how it gave me my 4 amazing children – that can be enough and I need to embrace the imperfections and be confident. You look so vibrant and happy and I just want to have a vino with you – much more fun than a salad lets face it!
Precisely Meg – I have carried and birthed a couple of kids and put my body through the ringer with various activities/events so I am pretty happy with how well it is wearing! I tell my kids all the time how amazing their bodies and minds are – I know we will go through tough times with body image at some point and it breaks my heart but I try to be a role model for them and wear my scars with pride! I don’t hide my naked body at home!
Confident women are so attractive, unfortunately a lesson we learn as we mature. I’m trying to instill confidence into my daughter but history is repeating itself as she would rather worry about how she is perceived by others – your bikini photos are real and therefore beautiful.
It’s tough especially with daughters – I know I will go through it too at some point but Poppy does cheer so is learning to love her agility and strength – performing really boosts her confidence too so hopefully that will remain with her!
Looking fabulous Joanna! I can only echo what previous commenters have said – it’s all about body confidence, and yours really shines through! That jumpsuit is fabulous too xx
I have my weak moments too Becky but I am learning to say ‘fuck it’ more and more 😉 xx
So true. With confidence, we can wear anything. You look great in these bikinis.
Thanks for your support! I only got my navel pierced last year so I enjoy showing it off with a good bikini – I was lucky enough to get away with few stretch marks from my pregnancies so apart from a few extra pounds I feel pretty happy with my almost 44 year old body! xx
Stop it – I am so jealous, the beach! The sliders! x
Aren’t they fab – I know you love yours too – I’m always envious of your jeweled H&M ones!