Loving Lilac!

Loving Lilac by bbailey12 featuring Botkier bags

I've adopted lilac as my favorite color of spring! After I saw the Burberry runway show with the pastel trench coats, I immediately became obsessed! It's an amazingly flattering color on any skin tone and has such a feminine vibe and can be worn in a realistic way (as opposed to wearing all pink and looking like a Barbie doll). I am planning on wearing lilac nails throughout the summer and am looking forward to adding some of the pieces above to my soon-to-be mostly lilac wardrobe! I'm too giddy about my new "it" color to write too much more... I'd rather spend this time shopping for new garments!!!

Really? It's January???

Swimwear 2010 by bbailey12 featuring Missoni swimwear

I'm not quite sure where the time has gone, but I'd like to respectfully ask that it slow the eff down. We're racing towards February, and to most people it seems like a mundane month, but it holds a significant event for me... a cruise. That's right. I am going to Mexico where I will blind the world with my winter skin in an old bathing suit from last year... or will I? I've never bought into "New Year's Resolutions" until now. I am determined to be tan (or at least tanner than I am now) & find a new swimsuit to compliment my new glow. Problem is, where can you find a bathing suit mid-January??? Sure, there's Victoria's Secret, but (and I mean no offense to those who like it) that's not where I turn when I'm looking for a good bathing suit. Every time you turn around, you're likely to see another girl wearing the same thing, and I much prefer to be an individual. Finding the right suit with the right fit gives me a sense of individuality which in turn makes me confident. The Spring Runway shows are just kicking off in Brazil and won't be in stores for another few months. Along with that problem, the majority of suits are plain, and this year I've set my mind on lots of color & texture. I want to find the bikini that is super feminine, but doesn't cross the line into looking like a four year old would wear it. I've done some research and come up with a few options, should anyone else find themselves in this same boat.

1. Red Carter Core Bikini in Black at singer22.com - I love the simplicity of the black combined with the beading along the strap. The black bikini never goes out of style and looks good on every skin tone, and although black is common the cut of this suit makes it stand out against the others. I'm particularly fond of this one because of the cut of the bandeau top... it's not the run of the mill top that you see everyone wearing.

2. Ashley Paige at ashlepaige.com - although I couldn't find a great image to use other than this one, it's almost common knowledge that an Ashley Paige bikini is a Summer staple. Her hand knit bathing suits are soft, come in amazing colors, and have a fit that makes you feel like a model. Go look through her site and I guarantee you'll find something you love.

3. Bendito Crocante by Agua Bendita 2010 at swimwearboutique.com - After days of searching the internet trying to find a look that suited me (get it? suit? like a swimsuit? no? ok, sorry.) I found this brand on one of my favored sites, swimwearboutique.com. Their suits are brightly colored and are layered in frills and lace. I'm picky when it comes to those types of materials, but this little number above caught my eye. Instead of having pink as the base color like most of their other suits, this one has a nice Chinese Red canvas. The color itself made it more appealing to me because it turns it into something a grownup would wear, but it still has a nostalgic look to it.

4.Missoni Melbourne bandeau bikini at net-a-porter.com - Do I really need to elaborate on the genius that is Missoni? Probably not, but I will say that this bandeau is a nice change from the Aden cut that I am such a fan of. It has a kind of vintage vibe and I love the thickness of the top, rather than a thin bandeau that you always have to tug at to keep up! The colors are summery and fresh and I can't wait to get my hands on one!

5. Alas Acquaticae by Maaji 2010 at swimwearboutique.com - I have a new obsession and it is Maaji's swimwear line. Their lookbook is so stunning that I almost ordered one of everything. I realized why I love it so... It has an Alice in Wonderland vibe, and for those of you who don't know, I live my life by all things Alice. I settled on the Aloe Mesh bikini but wasn't able to find a photo suitable, so google it & tell me what you think. I love the cool hues this line uses and combines with intricate patterns and cuts. The best part of this line is that all of the suits are reversible! Contrasting patterns are found on each side, so you're guaranteed to have a plethora of looks come beach time.

6. Mara Hoffman Ruched Bottom Bikini & Chiffon Cover Up in Headdress Pink at singer22.com. Oh, Mara Hoffman, why do you do this to me? I find my dream swimsuit and you have to mess it up by making the bottom a Brazilian cut! I adore everything about this suit (which is saying something since I usually steer clear of anything pink), except that the bottom isn't enough to cover up even a Barbie dolls behind. I like to keep a sense of decorum on the beach, and I'm crushed that this suit doesn't fit with my modesty. But, I'm sure someone else will fall in love like I did and have the guts to strut around in it. In the meantime, I'm still going to order the coverup, which has an amazing t-back, and throw it on over a plain black bikini to give it a little color.