Postcards from Montauk

Lucky me got to spend a beautiful weekend in Montauk with some of my girlfriends this past weekend. I preshopped the Journelle swim sale at their Atelier after work last week, so I got to take my new Marysia scallop bikini for a spin on the beach too, complete with my summertime fun Illesteva Leonard sunglasses.

Guys, life is good.

Sunglasses: Illesteva / Bikini: Marysia Swim (top and bottoms) / Rings: (left and right) Catbird NYC, (center) Ariel Gordon Jewelry

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The Perfect Swimwear Fitting

One day last month, I spent my lunch hour at a swimwear fit event at Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists on Madison Avenue. They showed off their newly renovated boutique, new swimwear arrivals, and their expert fit stylists.

Seriously, I don't think I've ever had a fitting this great. My stylist, Miguelina, let me start with the styles I liked, then helped me narrow down my choices based on how the cuts looked on my body shape, how the colour looked against my skin tone, and how the top accentuated my (small) bust. And she made sure to warm up her hands before she adjusted anything for me.

We eventually landed on this bright red Andres Sarda set with tiny black polka dots. The bra-like top has an accent chain and the side-tie bottoms have a just-bare-enough narrow cut to bring enough sexy to an otherwise lady-like bikini. I learned a few new things too, like exactly where an underwire should fall for my bust, and how to tell if the cup really is too big or not (bend forward and see if you fill out the cup!).

I have to admit that I sort of loathed bra fitting until I met Miguelina. I'm more of a figure-it-out-yourself kind of gal, especially since I always felt like the people who did fit me weren't really doing it right. But now I've found my go-to expert — do yourself a favor and make an appointment to see her.

Andres Sarda 'Gilia' bikini with CHANEL UV Essential and SUPER 'Gals' sunglasses.

Visit Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists on Madison Avenue at East 90th Street

Store images courtesy of Intimacy

It's Still Summer, Right?

Summer is my most cherished season, and I feel like this one has been slipping through my fingers. I had two almost back-to-back business trips (I won't complain about going to Paris), and then upon return from my second trip, I had to start reporting for Grand Jury duty. So yeah. Grand Jury. That's what I've been doing for the past two weeks.

There have been two perks to jury duty that I have identified so far:
1. Close proximity to Smile to Go, where I've been eating lunch pretty much every day. Finally allowed myself a sweet treat today, and am kicking myself for not trying out their incredible chocolate chunk cookies with sea salt earlier.

2. An okay walking distance to Gargyle on Orchard Street. It took me about 15 minutes to get there from the courthouse, and I was on a mission: to find and purchase this Poppy-print triangle bikini by LOVER.

I've been harboring a borderline obsession with LOVER swimwear ever since I bought this Ikat-print bandeau a couple of years ago. The fabric is such great quality—so soft yet a hardy spandex that keeps it's shape and wears incredibly well. When I saw this darker colorway peppered with white flowers, I loved the painterly nature of the print and knew this needed to be my 2013 bikini. The only thing in my way was Gargyle's free shipping threshold of $150+. Um, hello hashtag pet peeve.

But no matter for this (temporarily) downtown gal, and my mission that day was successful. Found my size in the store and I was in and out of there in 10 minutes.

Welcome home, LOVER. 

LOVER Poppy-print triangle bikini, $177 - on sale for $88.50. Available at Gargyle.com.

Swim Sales Say Goodbye to Summer

Or at least that's what it feels like. It's still August but I feel like this summer has whizzed by and just slipped through my fingers. My sadness required me to mix similes. But I feel like that's what's happening when gorgeous bathing suits like this Suno Cutout One Piece go on sale. I'll cheer for the price slash but shed a tear for what this means: fall is coming.

image via Creatures of Comfort

Suno Cutout One Piece in Floral Waves, $295 - on sale for $119.50.

Zimmermann's Resort 2012/13 Swim Campaign

Seriously? Wow. Gorgeous video. Touché, Zimmermann, touché.

Party Hardy: Zinke Intimates Swim 2012 Presentation!

I had the pleasure of attending the Zinke Intimates swimwear presentation the other night, and it was fantastic. The vibrant & playful collection of bathing suits and coverups was styled with gorgeous Loeffler Randall shoes and elegantly edgy jewelry by Sandy Hyun. Man, I can't wait for summer.

Beautiful lookbooks with hand painted details by Jessie Zinke herself!

The ensemble. Cool, color-poppin' chic. 

Instantly picked out my favorite look: #9. Endless Summer crop, Starboard bustier in lemonade, Kristen high waist brief in popsicle pink. I can't wait to rock that one. Also loved her gold triangle earrings, which I am ordering riiight after I write this.

To see a few more of the photos I took, take a look at the Pretty Little Underthings Facebook page! xo

Tempting Tuesdays: Mid-Summer Swimwear Roundup, Yee-Haw!

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

'ello, ladies! Hope everyone's summer has been going just fiiine. Can you believe it's July 19th already?? One of my close college friends told me that her grandmother always says, "Summer is almost over!" right after the Fourth of July. Pretty depressing statement, huh? But have no fear—I want to keep summer going for as long as possible, so here's another swimwear roundup from one of my favorite curators of fine swimwear, Net-A-Porter!

Also, I'll be announcing another giveaway tomorrow JUST FOR THE NYC/Tri-State FANS that is kinda sorta related to this post (and one that I'M really excited about), so stay tuned!

1. Agent Provocateur Amylee Printed Bikini

Printed bikini top, $180. Printed bikini briefs, $140.

2. Zimmerman Thistle Mesh-Paneled Halterneck Swimsuit

Halterneck swimsuit, $270.

3. We Are Handsome The Bather Printed Bikini

Bandeau Bikini, $230.

4. JETS by Jessika Allen Prairie Floral-Print Cutout Swimsuit

Cutout swimsuit, $250.

5. Bronzette Striped Bandeau Bikini

Stassy bandeau bikini top, $195. Loretta striped bikini briefs, $150.

Tempting Tuesdays: Hermès Ain't Just About the Birkins

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Hermès Swimwear

I was taking a walk last night—my usual loop around the Upper East Side—and I love walking down Madison Avenue at 11pm because no one's around. I walked past Hermès and loved the rotating oversized bangles in the Madison-facing window, and I was about to keep walking but then I noticed these fancy ladies in the East 62nd Street-facing display. How could I resist? I'm all about swimwear these days.

The maillot isn't listed on the site (guess this is where I say "price upon request" as the glossies do), but that anchor chain-print bikini on the right is (in a different color) and it'll definitely set you back a pretty penny (or like, a shit-ton lot of pennies). So if you are going to splurge on Hermès swimwear, then you know, take care of it and don't go near the elements like chlorine-y pool water or sand or sea water or anything that might let you have fun. Actually, just stand in the window display and that way you won't ruin your schmancy swimsuit.

Classic two-piece bathing suit in anchor chain print, $600. Available online at Hermes.com.

Hump Day Pick: Superfine Swimwear by LOVER

 

Photos via Creatures of Comfort

I really LOVER-ed this bikini from the first moment I saw it on Creatures of Comfort's website (aka my virtual fashion wishlist). They made this same bikini with a different print last year, which I totally regretted not buying from Frances May when my size went on sale for $50, but j'adore this fun ikat print more!

I love how the accents are subtle—the white clasp, natural wood-color beads—to keep all eyes on the ikat print... oh yeah, and on you, you beach babe! 

70's Peephole Bikini - Baby Zulu, $207. Available at Creatures of Comfort.

Wet Hot Eberjey Summer — The Giveaway!

I believe in the gloriousness of summer. Beach days, tan lines (always wear spf!), humidity, platform sandals, adorable shorts, laying out in Central Park until the smothering humidity is too unbearable and you feel like you have sunstroke and need a strawberry Frozen Fruit popsicle and you stumble over to the cart on 5th Avenue and 66th Street and eat said popsicle on the curb while the ice cream man tries to make sure that you're not going to pass out on the street and tumble into the bus lane… oh sorry, just reminiscing a bit.

 

(left) Eberjey Beach Glow Laiz Top & Valentina Bottoms; (right) Eberjey Beach Glow Mimi Top & Allie Bottoms

Both sets available at shopfortywinks.com

So to welcome the month of June, I'm thrilled to announce Pretty Little Underthings' new giveaway with Eberjey! They're generously offering an adorable swimsuit to one lucky winner from their Beach Glow collection. And you, the possible future lucky winner, get to pick the top and bottom you want (as long as they have the piece in your size in stock, of course)!

Images courtesy of Eberjey

The Beach Glow collection is shimmery, shiny and while the separates come in solid colors, it's anything but ordinary. There's something for every taste in the variety of top styles offered, and you can mix and match colors too!

So here are the mandatories to enter the giveaway (and follow them or your entry will be tossed out!):
1. Like Eberjey on Facebook
2. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
3. Tell me what YOU love about summer
4. Leave your email address

Extra points for:
5. Follow Eberjey on Twitter (@Eberjey)
6. Follow me on Twitter (@e5thelove)

Giveaway will close on Friday, June 10th at 12pm EST! Good luck!

Shoptalk: Swimwear For All Shapes and Sizes at Malia Mills

1. Pucker Up Pinup for A/B/C cups

I've been on the hunt for amazing swimwear lately, and while I feel like the offering this year is much more broad than I've noticed in the past, I've posted the few finds that really excited me and have been passing on the rest. So I was really, really stoked when one of my BFFs directed me towards Malia Mills on Mulberry Street. The line has been around since 1993, but it was a welcome, new discovery for both of us!

The Mulberry Street store carries a line of RTW from various designers such as Inhabit, but the swimwear is what really hooked me. There is an amazing array of different prints, cuts, and fabrics. It's a bit pricy, but everything is made in NYC and if you take proper care of the swimsuit, it's bound to last a few seasons. Unlike some fashion fashion lines, these cuts and prints are classic and will be in season whenever you want to wear it! 

The best part is that their swimwear fits according to bra sizes, rather than RTW sizing, so you'll get a more accurate fit. If you're in the area, definitely stop by and check out their offering. There are tons of adorable accessories too, like hats, gorgeous beach cover-ups, and some incredible beach bags that I was toterly lusting after... haha, get it? Toterly? Here are some of the swim pieces that really caught my eye:

2. Girl Next Door long-line bikini top

3. Lots of Love triangle top & Love Knot bottoms

4. Dionne one piece (left) for C/D cups, 5. Damsel Maillot (right) for A through DD cups!

(left) The Damsel maillot is made with a Liberty fabric imported from the UK! The material feels incredible. 

(right) Amazing back zip. There's a good amount of fabric on the inside so the zipper won't come into contact with your skin.

(left) Detail on the Damsel Maillot — detatchable halter strap.

(right) Detail on the Damsel Maillot — side smocking

Top off your retro one-piece with this adorbs floral swim cap. It's all rubber so you can really wear it in the water!

1. Pucker Up Pinup in baroque blue, $360.

2. Girl Next Door Bikini Top in saddle, $160 (available in-store).

3. Lots of Love Triangle Top in voyage print, $160. Love Knot Bottoms in voyage print, $160.

4. Dionne One-Piece in woven picnic, $415.

5. Damsel Maillot in burlesque (available in-store). Others colors available online.

Malia Mills Mulberry

199 Mulberry Street

between Kenmare & Spring

New York, NY 10012

212.625.2311

www.maliamills.com

Say Hi to Thursday: Adorable, Affordable Swimwear from Aerie!

Say Hi to Thursday, a special day of the week when there's only one more work day before a glorious weekend awaits. Pretty Little Underthings will showcase a weekend-perfect piece we'd love to wear.

Aerie by American Eagle Swimwear

I can't remember why or how I ended up on American Eagle's website a few days ago, but I was really surprised and excited about Aerie's new swimwear collection! I'm going to L.A. next week for a long weekend (thank goodness for a vacation) so beachy things are all I really can think about. These were three of my favorites:

1. Geometric Print Bandeau Bikini

Ya'll know I love prints, so I'm sure it's not a surprise that this one would be at the top of my list. I've been really drawn to funkier, abstract prints lately, and this bikini gives me exactly what I want. ...Yeah, I may really have to get this one.

Bandeau bikini top, $29.50. Cinched bottom, $24.50.

2. Seashell String Bikini

Adorable, right?! I love the sketched, drawn quality of the print. Like, if there were photos of shells on the swimsuit, then... that might just look really creepy. But it's not! It's so cute! And the lighter color way will look SO good when you have a tan. (Note: always wear sunblock! Always!!)

String bikini top, $29.50. String bikini bottom, $24.50.

3. Seersucker Halter Bikini

Classic seersucker for your for east coast beach getaways like Fire Island, Cape Cod, Newport... this is your swimsuit, preppies! I always love red seersucker the best (there's a blue option too), and as long as you don't get sunburnt, it'll be a fun, sweet option rather than those crazy swimsuits I've been seeing this season with so much metallic hardware!

Halter bikini top, on sale $19.95 (reg. $29.50). Bikini bottom, $14.95 (reg. $24.50).

Tempting Tuesdays: The I-Want-Swimwear Edition, Part II

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

1. Mara Hoffman Aztec-print Balconette Bikini

I saw this in a recent issue of SELF magazine, and I fell in love... (and it may be the reason I skipped a bagel and had oatmeal yesterday morning). I adore the contrast between the ruffle detail and the super-graphic bold print. Plus the halter strap is removable, which is always a plus. I like choice.

Available at Net-A-Porter.com, $220.

2. Rosa Cha Ruched Printed Swimsuit

Who doesn't love figure-forgiving ruching and a bright floral print? Check out the awesome cutout detail in the back too. This one can also double as a bodysuit, so throw on some high-waisted trousers (I told you, I'm obsessed with high-waisted) and your favorite heels, et voilà—a killer summer look that won't limit this suit to just the pool.

Available at Net-A-Porter.com, $350.

3. Camilla and Marc High Sun Bikini

I love how this color-blocked bikini reminds me of a certain t-shirt everyone seemed to have in the late 80's. The little bow details give it a sweet touch, and look—high-waisted done right!

Available at Anthropologie. Top, $88. Bottom, $98.

4. Diane von Furstenberg Pan String Bikini

Your basic string bikini with a print composed of different colors that normally wouldn't seem to go together, but DvF somehow makes it work. ...Probably because she's DvF, but whatever. I love that despite how the print has darker colors, the bright green is what catches my attention.

Available at Barneys, $185.

5. Eberjey First Mate Bikini

I mean, c'mon. If you can't understand why this one is just so completely adorable, I don't know why you read my blog. Ok, sorry that was kind of mean. But really—this preppy swimwear done right. A rope halterneck for nautical stripes? Yes, please. The option to wear this as a bandeau top instead of a halter? Yes, please! Well done, Eberjey, well done.

Available at FortyWinks.com. Phoebe Top, $74. Camilla Bottoms, $62.

Fashion Friday: Swimwear + Lara Stone!

As if there was a better formula for a summer-themed editorial? I love Lara Stone's editorials and ad campaigns, and this swimwear editorial is even more amazing because she's smiling! Look guys, fashion is fun! Who knew?! Okay, enough with the sarcasm. But really, sometimes when I see some fashion photography, I think "she'd be so much prettier if she was smiling!" and get kind of sad that fashion has to be so serious and curl up into a ball in the corner and sob.

Fine, not really but you get the idea. So when I saw this editorial featuring Lara Stone in some fantastic swimwear for summer, I knew exactly what I was going to post for this week's Fashion Friday. Because let's face it: sometimes, Lara Stone is all you need. (And that pretty Missoni bikini in the first & second  photos).

All images via. See other images from this editorial here.