Fashion Reading

5 on a Friday (mostly superficial edition)

March 8, 2019

1- I am returning the bathing suits from yesterday’s post. Neither were perfect and while I actually liked the one piece more than you all did, I realized that it might cause some horrific sun exposure issues. Plus, as I mentioned the top support wasn’t where I wanted it to be. And it was slightly itchy. So, that was that. On the recommendation of commenter Marci, I looked at Summersalt and really liked the offerings! So I somewhat impulsively added 2 to my cart right before going to sleep last night. We will see how they work out.

(ApplePay is a very convenient but dangerous thing.)

I do actually kind of need want a new bathing suit because our pool/beach season is quite long here, and I also wanted one for our cruise!

2- On that note: what is the acceptable age limit on bikinis? I mean seriously – it seems very unclear. People in FL rock pretty skimpy bathings suits across the age and body shape spectrum, which (I think) is generally a good thing. But, while the Summersalt models are different sizes (yay Summersalt!), they all definitely appear to be younger than I am.

I actually haven’t owned a one-piece suit in years though I now really like the look of them. But I am not necessarily ready to never wear a 2 piece again. (Plus, if I’m chasing around kids I often have a rash guard over it anyway!).

3- Also on that note: I am feeling more confident about my physical appearance. Hence actually somewhat enjoying shopping for summer clothing/bathing suits rather than finding it the miserable exercise it can be. Honestly, full post-baby recovery typically takes a year or more for me and I’m always so impatient! But I enjoy not feeling self-conscious and not having body angst be a distracting presence, for better or for worse. I credit more weight training / strength work this time around for  helping me recover well. I now just want to get stronger and more functionally fit (which honestly does help with toddler parenting duties, by the way — G is not light!).

(By the way, after years of never wanting to do much strength work, the answer for me turned out to be having someone order me around and determine workouts for me, whether it be virtual — thanks Autumn — or now at the gym I go to ~2x/week. I have no desire and will never just want to ‘do my own thing’ when it comes to workouts.)

4- Okay, enough of the superficial! I just finished Brain on Fire last night. OMG, how fascinating! I think I am going to read Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth next. After a relatively dry reading spell, I’ve read 3 books in March already (!). Hopefully this will keep the momentum going. I missed reading a lot.

Currently helping me with my reading routine is the fact that A will now read in bed (C will just kind of snuggle next to me and fall asleep) and I just read while she does, usually from around 8:15 to 8:45. Then I usually get into the book enough to want to continue it until I go to bed. (And — as any reader knows — if you get into a book and it’s good enough, you will read it all over the place).

5- We are both off this weekend! My main goal is to set up a play date for A — sort of late notice but hopefully I can get someone.

RANDOM LINK: Really enjoyed the Forever35 podcast this week, which featured Catherine Price (of How to Break Up with Your Phone fame).


13 Comments

  • Reply Gillian March 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

    Commonweath is fantastic! I couldn’t put it down. On two pieces in the conservative NE I think my bikini days are over. Plus 4 pregnancies have done a number on my skin, so while I weigh less than I did before my FIRST pregnancy and my waist is back down to size, the skin is never going back at this point…Kudos to those who are less self conscious of this.

  • Reply Tyra Evans March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    I just bought a paddle suit – are those a thing over there now too? It’s like a one piece/rashie combo. Mine is from a brand called SunSoaked, and even though it covers a lot of skin I don’t feel frumpy in it. Skin cancer rates are so scary here that I cover up as much as possible when I’m outside, especially given I spend so much time outside with the kids and exercising!

  • Reply Brittnie March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Totally might not be your style, not sure, but I just got a super cute one from Costco for $22! https://www.costco.com/Rose-Marie-Reid-Ladies'-Swim-Dress%2c-Polka-Dots.product.100457252.html
    It’s a one piece but a cute cut in my opinion. Happy weekend!

  • Reply sassysparky March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Oh and Commonwealth was great!!! It was my first Ann Patchett book. I have been reading “State of Wonder” and I think you’d like it too.

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      That was the first Ann Patchett I read! Then Bel Canto.

  • Reply Alexis March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    There’s no bikini age limit! IMHO. And if you feel weird about it, yeah, we’re all usually wearing rash guards anyway. I do love the one pieces at Summersalt, though.

  • Reply Marci March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Hope they work out! I have two colors of the side stroke and think it’s awesome for swimming with kids!

  • Reply sassysparky March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    I don’t think there is an age limit on bikinis. I’m on the younger end of moms in my neighborhood pool crowd, and most of them wear them into their late 40’s. I have several suits with a bra top, tank top, and bottom so I can mix and match depending on my level of bloat / self confidence on any given day 🙂

  • Reply Ana Isabel Canhoto March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    You could try a tankini: all the convenience of a bikini + all the coverage of a one piece. I usually buy a bottom + matching bikini top + matching tankini top and just swap tops as I want. I buy mine from Bravissimo (UK). I don’t know what would be the equivalent in the US, but I am sure that you will have plenty of brands that offer this type of combination.

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      true – and it is nice to have mix & match pieces! I do have one athleta suit that is shorts, a regular bikini bottom, and a regular bikini top so i can mix it and also layer a matching rashguard on top when i want.

  • Reply Susannah @ The EarlyBirdPress March 10, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    I don’t think there is or should be an age limit on bikini wearing, and you are hot and can totally rock one! =p In all seriousness I think the only issue is toddler/baby wrangling and the fact that it can lead to unintentional flashing. Keep us posted on how you like the new ones you ordered. I’m the same on it taking a full year to feel back to a normal body after having a baby, especially because nursing makes my bra size huge and makes me feel self-conscious. Oh, and I am still loving the Beachbody workouts..thanks again!

    • Reply Sarah Hart-Unger March 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      unintentional flashing is my middle name unfortunately. i mean not really but I once had a rather ridiculous incident with a strapless gown and an active dance to ‘hey ya’ in the early oughts. ANYWAY! good point 🙂 and yay about beachbody! they are really solid workouts and you cannot beat the convenience!!

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