Wishful Wednesday- Beach Babe edition!

Good day!!  The sun is shining, its hot, humid and summer is in full swing!  Michigan is a beautiful state for summer fun.  The Great Lakes coast is ripe with opportunity, lakeside towns full of shopping, gourmet food and adventure.  Lake Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, bordered by sand dunes and woods, I can lose myself walking on the beach, soaking up the sun, the peaceful sound of the waves. In Michigan you are never more than 6 miles from a body of water so swimming is a daily part of summertime life.  This week's Wishful Wednesday is vintage perfection for beach babe beauty!

I've been self conscious my entire life.  I've always been bigger and I carry a lot weight in my thighs.  I have cellulite and that for years caused me to believe I should always wear swim skirts, cover ups, shorts or avoid swimsuits altogether.  I've finally come to a place where I realize all bodies are beach bodies!  Enjoying summer is not a size exclusive thing.  I posed in my swimsuit without a cover up, thighs exposed, noone died, noone was cruel and I felt fabulous!  

Swimsuit by Torrid
Photo by Era Exposures

Here are my top swim suit choices for plus pinup style beach beauty and a few must have accessories for protecting yourself from the harsh summer sun.

Pinup Girl Clothing Pinup Couture Marilyn suit in Green
The Marilyn - a gorgeous, gathered, skirted thing of beauty that evokes old Hollywood glamour is designed to hold you in and push you up, for an extremely sexy beach silhouette. The suit is fully lined with power mesh to define your curves, the bust has padded cups that help support and the gathered design hides any imperfections. Two removable rhinestone brooches attach to the straps adding a glamorous finishing touch, the straps are adjustable and sizes XL-4X are also fitted with wider straps for better support.  A beautiful classic suit to flatter any shape, Pinup Girl Clothing always does vintage right!

Unique Vintage Casablanca Halter Top and High Waisted Bottoms in Polka Dots and Red Bows
With its blue and white polka dot print and cute red bows, this swim top has the perfect all-American retro look paired with the matching high-waisted bikini bottoms. I love this style for its undeniably classic retro look!

Torrid Peekaboo One Piece in Leopard
Sexy and stylish this leopard one-piece gives a flattering shape and fit. Front ruching slims and controls while convertible wide straps give support and versatility. I love my Torrid Peekaboo suit, it is flattering and sexy!!  Meow!!

Red Dolly Swimwear Retro Pin-Up Bikini in Black and White Stripe
I love this twist on the classic Barbie suit.  An adorable retro styled high waist bikini with a gathered bust halter top.  Pair this suit with cute Cherry Red Lolita Love Retro Heart Sunglasses and a high ponytail for a Barbie at the beach look sure to get attention!

Mod Cloth Wade A Minute Swimdress in Flamingos
Very cute and versatile, this one piece swimdress features underwire padded bust with bonig at the sides, a tiered swim skirt and removable straps.  I would love to pair this fun flamingo print with these stylish Bearpaw Calla Wedges in Black and a wide brimmed hat like this Black and White Striped Woven Sun Hat with Bow for a casual beach babe look.

Whatever your beach style may be, remember to enjoy yourself because you are worth it!!!

Wishful Wednesday!

It's Wednesday again and I find myself in the middle of another busy week.  Fourth of July was fun and festive.  We spent time with friends, enjoyed good food, watched fireworks and celebrated our great country!  As summer moves forward the surrounding countryside is beautiful, alive with wildflowers blooming and green leaves everywhere.  Today's Wishful Wednesday is a simple pretty summer look that could be worn for any occasion.

Trashy Diva offers a collection of vintage-inspired frocks featuring styles from the 1930s, '40s, and '50s ranging from size 0 to 24. Their design inspiration not only comes from vintage clothing but also from Trashy Diva customers and the women they employ.  Such a gorgeous selection of beautiful styles and prints to choose from. The Apple Tart Dress is blue and white Seersucker featuring a ruffled bodice, skinny straps and a fully gathered 8 panel circle skirt with pockets. Dressed up or down this frock is delightful, a fresh, sweet summertime look for .  I would add a Malco Modes Jennifer Petticoat in Red to add interest, volume to the full skirt and beautiful contrast.  Malco Modes have the best petticoats I have worn.  I own several vintage and new Malco Modes pettis and I love them!!!

Baccurelli makes the most amazing brooches, necklaces and accessories that make you feel playful, happy and most of all FEARLESS.  Each piece is designed with love to be eccentric, over-the-top, irreverent and playful, perfect to show off your unique, personal style!  I could not chose just one of their fantastic brooches to showcase with this outfit.  I love the Frida, Rosie and Ava brooches, the characters are iconic, exactly right to finish any vintage inspired look or add a fun focal point to any outfit.  No outfit is complete without a pretty hair accessory.  This Unique Vintage Retro Style Red Floral Hair Wrap would top this look off in a cute stylish manner while protecting your hair from the harsh heat and wind of summer.

Remix has been featured here before.  I am enamored of their large selection of vintage shoes.  I would wear their Veronica Heels in Red as the finishing touch.  The epitome of sexy sophisticated 1940s style they feature a high platform, ankle strap and peep toe.  I think the combination of red with the sedate blue and white seersucker dress is dramatic and lovely.

Let me know what you think, what is your favorite part of this look?  I hope you are enjoying my blog as much as I love bringing it to you.  I have many exciting collaborations coming in the next few months, lots of exciting new products and I'll be sharing my journey as I participate in my first Pinup competition at The Grand Rapids Metro Cruise!  Stay tuned!!!

A patriotically perfect Wishful Wednesday!

Summer is blissful!  I have been fully enjoying the warm summer days outside, grilling tasty food, taking long walks, stargazing and loving this break from our normally hectic family schedule.  I am looking forward to Fourth of July!  It is my favorite summer holiday, I love the patriotism, gathering together to celebrate our country, fun family traditions, fireworks and revolutionary history.  July 3 is also our wedding anniversary, so it gives us even more reason to be thankful, this year we will be 17 years together, what an incredible journey!

This week my Wishful Wednesday is celebrating Fourth of July, our American Independence Day. These are my top choices for perfectly patriotic pinup style.

1. Lady Mayra ELSA American Flag Dress

This dress absolutely screams Independence Day!!  I love the Lady Mayra Elsa dress, I have one I won in a Facebook competition and it is a lovely vintage style that fits like a glove, a beautiful hourglass silhouette with full circle skirt : My review of the Elsa dress.  The Elsa dress is available in a wide variety of colorways, but this American flag version is absolutely stunning, the blood red bust contrasts beautifully with petite white stars on bold blue and the fabulously full red and white striped skirt ripples in waves of glorious color calling to mind the words of The Star Spangled Banner, filling me with pride.


2.Pinup Girl Clothing Amanda Dress in Red, White and Royal Blue

I have been following Amelia and June at Junebugs and Georgia Peaches for a couple of years now.  I love reading their adventures, they each have a unique perspective on everyday vintage style and bubbly, irresistible personalities, I have found so much inspiration reading their blog.  The upcoming Pinup Girl Clothing collection inspired by these gals is filled with so many must have pieces but my personal favorite is the Amanda dress with its eye catching stripes of red, white and royal blue.  It is a beautiful modest style that accentuates femininity without being revealing, completely practical for everyday wear, I absolutely must own this piece when it arrives for wearing at Pinups for Patriots events.  Perfectly Patriotic and stunning!

 
3. Glitter Paradise Shark Bomb Brooch

I love my Glitter Paradise Shark Bomb Brooch, it is a fun accessory for any vintage look.  A high quality, detailed and handmade the bomb brooch is decorated with shark nose art, a popular WWII era motif.  Nose art was originally used for identifying friendly units but the practice evolved into a way to express the individuality that was often constrained by the uniformity of the military, it evoked memories of home and peacetime life.  The Shark Bomb is the perfect piece to finish your patriotic pinup outfit!  I wore my Glitter Paradise Shark Bomb Brooch to the D-Day plus 71 Celebration with Pinups for Patriots and everyone loved it!

Photo: Alyx Wiltse
Dress: Hell Bunny
Brooch: Glitter Paradise
Crinoline: Malco Modes

 

4. Unique Vintage Navy, White and Red Color Block Audrey Purse 

Unique Vintage has a spectacular selection of pinup clothing and accessories.  A variety of red, white and blue styles are available in dresses, high waist bikinis, purses and accessories.  Unique Vintage is a one stop for impeccable head to toe retro styling.  A great bag is essential to any outfit and this color block Audrey purse is trendy, practical and patriotic.


5.Spunkerella Pettiflirt Two Tone: Navy/White

The Spunkerella Petticoats are one of the most gloriously ruffly and voluminous brands I have seen.  I love that they offer not only solid color, but two tone and rainbow colored varieties for many different looks.  This Navy/White combination matches the patriotic theme of each dress I have chose, the right petticoat or crinoline is the ultimate finishing touch, giving you a fun, flirty swirl of color and emphasizing vintage shape. 

What are your plans for Fourth of July?  What will you be wearing?