Bikini Time

In the U.S. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer but my husband and I got a jump on the season this year.  Two weekends ago we spent a warm, summery weekend in Palm Springs where I tried out that dreaded summer staple, the swim suit.

“To wear or not to wear…a bikini” is the question that has plagued me over the last few years. When I was young I wore two-piece swim suits to the beach and never thought more about it other than whether if I liked the color and cut. Somewhere in this journey of life my confidence on the beach began to wane. I started to wonder if a belly baring swim suit was really the right choice.  I’m a mature woman, a respectable wife and mother of two children, shouldn’t I wear a bathing suit that reflects this place in my life?

No, screw that.  I’m going to wear a bikini.

Mindless determination not to accept the approved and acceptable path of the middle age is only part of the reason I chose to wear a two piece swim suit to the pool. Bikinis actually look pretty good on me.  I am lucky to have skin that didn’t develop stretch marks over my two pregnancies, and even more fortunate to have been able to deliver both my children naturally. So my belly looks pretty good. As you can see my choice in bikini is fairly covered.  I am fond of the short skirt bikini bottom in particular because it covers the area of my figure that I really don’t want to show off.  I feel pretty confident about my tummy but a bit shy about my behind. On the other hand I have a terrible time finding one piece swim suits that fit me.  Unless I can buy an extra long size most one-piece bathing suits are too short.  They ride up, or worse, fall down when I’m swimming, and every “tankini” I have ever tried has looked horrible on me, I have no idea why.

What would I like you to take away from this?  Wear a swim suit that looks great on you, not one that is “appropriate” for your stage in life.  If you’re twenty and you love wearing a maillot, if they make you feel fabulous and glamorous, wear them, even if all your girlfriends are wearing pieces of string attached to a handkerchief. If you look great in a “tankini” then adopt it as your signature look, same for a bikini.  Wear what makes you feel your best, because when you’re exposing most of your flesh for all the world to see you need all the confidence you can muster. I’d also suggest you try on a lot of styles before choosing one fabulous suit, and I’d suggest you spend the most you can afford on your swimwear.  This is not a place to skimp on quality, cut or design. And by all means, if you have the kind of figure that can flaunt an ensie-weensie yellow polka dot string bikini, do it!

OK, off my soap box and on to more of my trip to Palm Springs.

I am happy to report that my career in freelance design has really taken off.  I am immensely fortunate to work from home and still enjoy a boost to my family’s income.  On the other hand I’ve been working pretty much constantly, seven days a week, for the last few months.  Freelancing is frighteningly inconsistent, which makes many of the self-employed work themselves to the bone just in case it all evaporates next month. A few weeks ago I realized I really needed a couple of days off, and knowing my work ethic that would only happen if I was too far from my computer to work on it. So we planned a little weekend get away to Palm Springs. I requested a small, courtyard hotel so I could walk out of my room and step straight into the pool. My husband outdid himself with “The Rendezvous”, a darling 1950′s era hideaway once frequented by the likes of Marilyn Monroe.

The stay included a delicious breakfast every morning. It started with fresh fruit and a smoothie.  Next came the breakfast casserole of the day and it was served with all the coffee one can drink.

In the late afternoon the friendly staff served complimentary drinks and appetizers by the pool. It was heavenly! The evenings were the most romantic.  It was warm at night, surprising in the desert, and sitting out under the stars was magical.

Credits: Earrings and bracelet from Gilt.com.  Bikini by Jag, purchased years ago on a trip to Hawaii.

What are you wearing to the pool or beach this summer? Going anywhere fabulous?