Monthly Archives: April 2015

The 2015 Swimsuit Issue

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.

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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!

IMG_2155So 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!

IMG_2171I’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!

IMG_2283Bikini – Target (old)

IMG_2333Bikini – J.Crew (last year -similar here)

IMG_2336Jumpsuit – ASOS (similar here – I love these for throwing on over a bikini!)

IMG_2323T-shirt – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW) // Shorts – J.Crew (25% off with SHOPNOW)

IMG_2164Shoes – 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!

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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

 

A spray tan and new Ancient Greeks

So we’re off on Spring Break hooray!!! We’re all ready for our annual pilgrimage to the Alabama coast – the wine is bought, the grill is packed and the bikinis are out. I’ve even had a spray tan today as after my melanoma scare I refuse to sit and sizzle in the sun like usual – only I do love being brown!

Hence my makeup free appearance here this morning – but I wanted to share my new Ancient Greeks with you! You’ll remember I was originally lusting after the Stuart Weitzman Backview. I tried them on a couple of weeks ago and I was SO disappointed. For a $500 shoe the elastic straps along the back felt cheap – especially as they fastened with velcro – which I envisioned would become nasty very quickly picking up hair and fluff. The elastic fibres also risks puckering and breaking if they are pulled too tight across the calf.

It’s a shame as Giselle looks amazing in them:

SW Backview

Anyway I got them out of my system, and I was pretty sure I needed to move on from gladiator sandals – certainly a risky choice for an almost 44 year old, with moderately okay legs – still they are very much a love ’em or loathe ’em type sandal. That was until I saw the Kori Ancient Greek arrive exclusively on Net-a-porter.com. I have a couple of Ancient Greek sandals from last year and I love them – they are handmade in Greece so I claim it’s my attempt to alleviate their debt.

The Kori comes in nude or black and is a lace up sandal with thong – it’s the thong that most appeals to me as cheaper versions with a strap across from Mango and Zara just don’t work for my wide feet and sticky out toes.

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I had to get them on quickly today – and that is no mean feat. Make sure you have time to spare to lace and adjust the height! I wore mine quite low for the photo here – but they do extend all the way up to below my knee too which I think looks more flattering. I’m wearing my darkest, loosest dress ready to throw on after my spray tan! Thankfully I am not orange, nor am I milky white as here anymore – just a lovely glowy tan color – thanks True Glow!

Ancient greeksSandals – Ancient Greek Kori // Dress – ASOS t-shirt dress

I guarantee these sandals will sell out fast as they are only available on NAP and one of the few options this year with a thong – so if you are tempted my advice is don’t delay!

See you from the beach and Happy Easter all!