Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid by elbonner featuring lips makeup
I LOVE Pantone's "Color of the Year" this year, which just happens to be the beautiful color "Radiant Orchid". I have gotten more and more into purpley-pink colors like this and now I just can't get enough of it. It reminds me of tropical sunsets, summer toenails, dragon fruit smoothies, and, of course, orchids! Now, this color is just all over everything and I have nooo problem with that at all. I really want to try some of the matte lip colors that are coming out in bright colors like orchid. I feel like they'd be great for a summer night out with my bitches. Pantone Universe even makes home paint colors, so if you're as obsessed with Radiant Orchid as I am you can paint your whole house that color. It could be the only color you ever see! This color screams warm weather, trips to the beach, and all-out fun so get ahead and get radiant!
Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil- Violet
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain- Violine Out of Control
NARS Nail Polish- No Limits
Essie Nail Color- Madison Ave-Hue
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Nail Color- Back To The Fuschia
Adidas Gazelle OG
Banana Republic Annie Scarf
Pantone Universe Paints- Radiant Orchid
Creatures of Comfort X Baggu Fold-over Leather Purse
Acacia Swimwear Tunnels Bikini- Island Orchid Print
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Dream Beach Bag by elbonner featuring billabong handbags
All this warm weather and promise of a tropical vacation has put me in the mood to SHOP! If I didn't spend everything on food and bills, this ensemble would totally be in my closet by now. Even as an obvious not-svelte person, I really enjoy looking at and buying swimwear. Just mix and match different pieces that fit and the number one, important thing is to not care. Unless someone is a total jagweed and goes out of their way to tell you that you look bad, it's almost a guarantee that no one is going to say anything to you about your swimwear choice.
It's also toenail polish color explosion with lots of neon and brights in summer nail collections. Not to mention lots of new sunscreen formulas and new products. Bah, I'm o excited!! I love the warm weather. I started Insanity (it's awesome); if you like HIIT workouts then Insanity is for you. I get bored and find myself really liking interval workouts to keep me entertained. I'm slapping on my vitamin C serum and pumicing my crusty feet (sorry). Get ready for the sun, baby!
Endless Summer by elbonner featuring neon bikinis
Summer is almost over, but there is nothing keeping me from dreaming of a tropical winter vacation. When it's a billion degrees here in Virginia I start yearning for fall weather then once it comes I immediately regret it. This is also the time of year to buy bikinis for a fraction of what they cost in the spring so here are a few of my favorite swimsuits from Summer 2012.
Going clockwise, the first bikini I have features is this ruched under wire bikini from J. Crew. These come in a variety of prints and styles, but I like this top because it's pretty to look at and holds everything up for you, no droopage! There's nothing worse than getting creeped on by guys who notice your accidental underboob before you do. Tie bottoms also give you the ability to accommodate a variety of circumferences. Have big ol' hips these kinds of bottoms are a god-send.
The next bikini is from Acacia Swimwear who specialize in teeny bikinis with fun prints and beautiful details. If you have major butt confidence then try them out, but with tops and bottoms sold separately at most retailers, you can modestly enjoy one of their bikini tops. They're a bit on the expensive side, but they can be mixed and matched with other pieces and the quality shows in the beautiful details.
Every time I see a Mara Hoffman bikini I wish I had found some elderly oil baron so I could buy all of her stuff with little physical commitment to my "partner". Her prints are so fun and bright, perfect for summertime. The downside: expense. Her stuff is not cheap, so if you are financially set get yo'self one of her swimsuits for all us poor folk!
The great thing about Basta Surf bikinis is that almost all of them are reversible, that way you're getting two for the price of one. Their color combos are awesome and bright and fun for summer. Solid bikinis always look really good on everyone and these bikinis are bright and fun.I'm loving these flouncy, flowy tops this season. They're casual and just look really cool. Because they stay on well they make it easier to actually do things at the beach other than lay on the sand hoping to god nothing falls out after you've fallen asleep in your sun lounger (guilty as charged).
Everyone's bikini stand-by are Victoria's Secret bikinis. They are all over the place, come in a million colors and prints, and are reasonably priced. Last summer I bought a lot, I'm talk A LOT of Victoria's Secret bikinis because they were so versatile and came in a lot of neons. I don't care what anyone says, the revival of neons is the greatest thing to happen to me in the past 26 years, I LOVE THEM. They look great on everyone and keep you from looking boring.
Last but not least, one-piece swimsuits have made a big comeback and are a far cry from the tank suits we all wore as a kid. This suit by Mikoh, one of my favorite new swimwear brands, makes it cool to wear a one-piece again. Mikoh's signature thing is the intricate knots and strings that decorate their suits. They're what you would wear if you wanted to look like the chicest most put-together honey badger on the beach. They come in a variety of colors and their bikinis are gorgeous too.
I hope this was fun and/or helpful. Even though I'm no skinny mini I love buying swimsuits. Do you have a favorite swimwear brand that I didn't mention? Let me know! I'm always on the lookout for cool new stuff. In the meantime, start planning that February mental health trip to somewhere warm!
