Bikini Madness!!!

Bikini Madness by elbonner featuring a strapless bikini

Oh my god I love swimwear! It's the number one indicator that summer is on the way. Neons and brights are back and making a huge impact on summer swimwear. I also LOVE the flowy tank top suits that have magically appeared. There are new swim brands popping up all over the place and I can't be happier. So much fun! If I had all the money in the world I would have a bikini closet, live by the beach, and never have to mop my kitchen floor. Since I don't live in an idyllic dreamworld, I'll have to settle with perusing the newest swimwear trends on the internet.  The above suits are some of my favorites, so get excited northern hemisphere, it's bikini season!

Seea
Tallow
Basta Surf
Tori Prayver
Mikoh
Mara Hoffman
L*Space
Beach Riot

**PS** I've created an Instagram page just for the blog, so follow @e_bythesea to get random stuff and updates from yours truly. Follow away!!

Get On Your Feet: Stance Socks

Stance Socks by elbonner on Polyvore

Can I get a moment of silence for Stance Socks?! These socks are friggin' awesome if you couldn't already tell from the photo above. They have socks with fringe, socks with beaded detail, socks with crazy print on them. They are so much fun; I want all of them! The only problem with Stance Socks is that everyone else likes them too which means they sell out really quickly, so if you're in the market for some new socks or you have an unhealthy and uncontrollable spending habit then go to their website and stimulate that economy! I know it's getting out of sock weather, but these would still be fun to wear with cutoffs and simple low-top Converses. My boyfriend decided a few years ago that he wanted to be "that guy with the cool socks" and bought the brightest argyle socks you could find and whenever he sat down people saw his cool socks and told him how clever and stylish he was. Guess what happened, HE'S THE COOL SOCK GUY NOW. So be the cool sock person in your group of friends and hit up Stance Socks!

Winter Brights

Winter Brights by elbonner featuring ski sweaters

It has been unseasonably warm the past few weeks and it's keeping winter from literally sucking any joy or moisture out of me (suck it, winter!) and it's wonderful. My only qualm (ONLY) is that I can't wear any chunky sweaters. Chunky sweaters are a godsend during the holiday season. They give you the room to disguise all of those break room gift basket binges that we all do. Everyone does it, don't act like you're above me! I'm loving all these bright, geometric-print sweaters and cardigans. They're fun and keep you from having to wear a bunch of layer to keep warm. A coworker and I vented about our hatred of layers because all they do is ride up over your love-handles and remind you of how out of shape you are. So go for one layer instead of lots of bunched up tanks and long-sleeves. Ain't nobody got time for that!

L-R
BB Dakota
Mara Hoffman
Quiksilver
J. Crew
Topshop
Mango

Urban Gaucho

Urban Gaucho by elbonner featuring zip bags

If I'm going to have to wear winter clothes, then they're going to have to remind me of the beach and summertime  somehow. I think Southwestern prints are very beachy, but also great for the winter. They liven up the grey-white deadness and make life worth living. I call this look "urban gaucho" because that's what it looks like, a gaucho with a keen eye for fashion and mixing prints. So get yourself some funky prints and ride off into the Argentinian sunset drinking yerba mate! Ole!

Sweater- Jens Pirate Booty
T-shirt- Quiksilver
Jeans- Quiksilver
Bag- Carryall
Hat-RVCA
Bracelet-Jens Pirate Booty
Boots- Minnetonka