If You Like Piña Coladas...

via H&M

Originally posted in The CLOSET

Dressing down has never been my strong suit. Picture me, as a 6 year-old, at the beach, in my sparkly bathing suit, with my ruffled plaid purse slung over my shoulder (yes, it was as awesome as it sounds). You could not rip that thing off me no matter how big the waves got or how hard my parents tried. And boy did they try. I couldn't help myself, I was born to accessorize. And yet, I've witnessed more blinged-out beach babes and foundation-plastered trophy wives at the gym than I care to count. So, over the years, through trial and error, I've learned the art of subtlety when it comes to casual style. The goal (always and forever) is looking like you care, but not too much. Never too much. 

Whether you plan on hitting the beach, cottage or pool-deck this summer, swimwear is way more than just swimsuits. If you're like me, you probably spend 86% of your time out of the water with your perfectly-pedicured feet planted firmly on solid ground. Whether lounging on a chaise reading a smutty beach read or making sand castles with your littles, a banging beach wardrobe is within your reach. From sunnies to cover-ups to an Instagram-ready beach towel, the stores are stocked with pretty finds to make your next trip to the water may more stylish. 

Want to make a big splash this summer? You'll be the belle of the beach in these sweet summer finds...

SEE MY PICKS HERE...

Your Sun, Sand & Surf Survival Kit

Karolina Kurkova in Sudbury. Kidding... Photo via Vogue Spain.

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

When it comes to body image, you can learn a lot from a 5 year-old. My daughter's criteria for a bathing suit: a) Does it fit? b) Is it pink? c) Can it go in the water? She'll strut around the pool with a crowd of fully-clothed parents and grandparents looking on and not only does she not mind that they're there, but she wants to make sure that they arewatching. A 5 year-old doesn't slowly slip into the water, she canonballs right in. And when it's freezing cold, instead of complaining, she shouts, 'This is ah-MA-zing!!!' 

I know we don't all have perfect bodies but this summer, let's all try our best to forget about our far-from-flat tummies and, like a 5 year-old, let's focus on the fun instead. I mean, nobody's going to notice your thighs when they're busy checking out your super cute sandals. I mean, this is a fashion blog, I'm allowed to be superficial, right?

The stores this season are loaded with fun beach gear, from suits to cover-ups to amped-up flip-flops to help you turn your attention away from your bod to your bangin' beach wardrobe. Oh and to your friends and to your family and to your perfect swandive, too. I've hand-picked my top 50 picks to pick up now, whether you're heading to the beach, the boat or the pool this first official weekend of summer. Sigh...can you even believe it's finally here??

SEE MY TOP 50 PICKS HERE... 

Happy Friday!