What Katie Did Swimwear

Summer is coming!!! And with warmer, sunnier days also comes the need for things to wear while cooling off in water. Once in a while I come back to retro lingerie brand What Katie Did here on my blog. That's because I really love what they do, and I have tried out several items from them myself. Their products are well made and very durable for everyday wear, so when I saw their new swimwear line I was not disappointed. It consists of one bathing suit and one bikini, inspired by 50s Hawaiian sarong style swimwear. Both come in the color black and have very flattering designs for every body type.

 

The halter swimsuit has a little skirt that skims over your hips, that can be adjusted slightly with the tie at the waist.

The bikini has the same halter-and-skirt design as the swimsuit, but with the bare midriff. The bikini is fully lined, has molded bra cups, and the halter straps are detachable - which comes in handy if you feel like getting a bit of a tan, but don't want those annoying white lines straps like these leaves behind. And most important of all - DON'T FORGET TO WEAR SUNSCREEN!!! Aside from keeping you from turning into red raisins, and possibly getting really ill, sunscreen will also help your tattoos from fading in the sunlight!

Kendra's Miami Fashion Challenge!

This week we'll take a break from Fabergé Friday. The reason is I just took on my first blog challenge, and this is pretty much the last day to enter. So, here we go! I received a mail from American travel expert Kendra Thornton, telling me she is planning a romantic getaway to Miami with her husband. To get some new ideas about what to wear on this trip, she is now challenging different fashion bloggers to help her pick out some new outfits. This is what Kendra wrote to me about the upcoming trip:

"I love South Florida because of its coastal towns, natural parks, beaches and gorgeous art galleries. You can really get inspired by the art deco buildings, palm trees, gardens and various cultures that have made Miami so different from other parts of America. Part of my excitement for this trip is a fashion challenge that I want to present to the amazing fashion bloggers out there. I need some help picking out a few outfits to go for Miami. Fashion houses and designers flock to Miami, and from the pictures I've seen, everyone could be in a fashion spread on South Beach alone. Here are a few details about our trip to help you select some items I can wear to the beach or even out to a romantic dinner date on the beach.

When I began planning this trip, I wanted to find a hotel that could really let my husband and I relax. The Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel is perfect for this. It's located right on the Atlantic Ocean and just three miles from South Beach. The Lincoln Road shopping district is also nearby, which gives it a great location to explore the areas around Miami without needing a cab!

One night of our trip I want to have a romantic dinner with my husband. There are 11 restaurants and bars at the hotel alone, so we may end up enjoying a night here. I know that we definitely want to go to Lapis, which is the 40,000 square foot spa located at Fontainebleau. They have 30 different treatment rooms and specialize in thermal therapy.

I know that most of my trip will be spent on the beach. I definitely want a casual yet posh swimwear look that can be comfortable at the beach or eating at one of the cafes along the shore. We will likely spend a lot of time at the Fontainebleau beach because they provide private cabanas, drinks and beach service if you get hungry. I can't wait to be pampered like that! I hope that my trip inspires some gorgeous selections. The fashion bloggers out there have so much talent, and I want to show off all your selections around Miami and in pictures! Im so happy and thankful you are helping me find the perfect look!"

Source

This is Kendra - blond, gorgeous, and with a lovely bustier! If she decides to wear that one for her and her husband's trip, they might get stuck in the hotel room though... Haha! To make sure they get out a bit, I have made two moodboards, with two different outfits - one for the beach, and one for the evening. Let's start with the beach!

Some people might think black is boring during the summer. But no, it isn't! Black is elegant ant it always work! Plus, you can match it with pretty much anything. So, for her days at the beach I chose a vintage inspired bikini for Kendra. It's called the Ester Williams Bathing Beauty, and you can get it at ModCloth. When you need to leave the sand for a while to go get something to eat, it can be nice to throw something simple on over your bathing suit, and I found the perfect thing at H&M - a dark green, sequin-embroidered chiffon kaftan. I want this one myself!!! Then we have vintage looking, golden shoes from Swedish Hasbeens, and good sized straw beach bag and shading straw hat - both from ModCloth. And Kendra darling, please don't forget sunblock!!! A tanned girl might look healthy, but a white girl is prettier than a red one...

And then we have my pics for evening wear:

First, I went looking for a perfect dress. And this is the one I'd like to see Mrs Thornton in! It's from Zac Posen's Resort 2014 Collection, and it reminds me of the foam that rides with the waves up on the beach. The shoes and the clutch are both from Jimmy Choo, and as they are dark blue they go very well with the ocean-theme that started with the dress. I think this outfit fits very well for any fancy restaurant, but also for that romantic dinner at the beach - just take the shoes off and walk barefoot in the soft sand...

So, that's it! My first blog challenge! I hope I have helped Kendra at least a little bit with her outfit-decisions, and I also hope she and her husband has a great trip with lots of romance! I'm not jealous at all... And if anyone out there feels like buying me the foam-dress, that's completely ok...

Some Well Needed Rest...

After grandma's funeral we went out to the country. It's situated in Roslagen and since my mom and her sister grew up here, the farm has been in the family for a loooooong time!

There are two cottages from the end of the 18th/beginning of the 19th century. The left one belongs to my family, and the right one to my mom's sister.

And then there is my grandparent's house, which grandpa built in the 60s. This house feels very empty now. But when I went in there it still felt like I was going to find grandma sitting by the table in the kitchen, drinking coffee and doing crossword puzzles...

I have spent at least part of every summer since I was born here, and as soon as I come back to this little paradise, I kick my shoes off and walk around barefoot as much as I can!

The weather was really hot, so I managed to go for my first swim this summer. I had forgotten to pack a bikini though, but a got to borrow this old (probably 60s) one from my aunt. I really liked it, but the fabric was pretty thick, so when it got wet it felt like I was going to lose the panties getting out of the water. Luckily it didn't actually happen...

There's a little shed where you can change your clothes when you're done swimming, and in the ceiling I found a swallow nest! But it wasn't until I saw the enlarged picture on my computer I noticed one of the baby birds was actually looking down at me, straight into the camera!

After two days of good food, wine, plating cards, and not caring about much, it was time to get back to reality though - and try to wash the grass stains off my feet...

Beach 2013

Summer is on it's way, and whether you like basking in the sun on a sandy beach, or rather prefer sitting in the shade of a parasol beside a pool, with one colorful drink in each hand, a stylish bathing suit might soon come in handy. So here are a few I wouldn't mind dressing up in myself!

The Bow Bikini from What Katie Did.

The A Lace To Call Your Own bathing suit from ModCloth.

The Moonlit Swimsuit top and bottom, ModCloth.

The Lacy Days one piece, ModCloth.

The super sweet two piece Cutie Pie Picnic, ModCloth.

The Bathing Beauty in emerald green. Love this color!...

...and it also exists as a two piece! Both from ModCloth.

Same style as above, but in another color. This one is called the Snack Bar Beauty, ModCloth.

For the cherry lovers there is also this one from Daisy Dapper. If you prefer getting a tan but with no tan lines, I recommend you go to a nudist beach though! Never been to one myself, but heard it can be quite fun... But don't forget sunscreen!!!

PS. Since many of the bathing suits in this post come from ModCloth, I might as well mention that right now ModCloth is giving away free grab bags with stuff for 50 USD to everyone who places an order over 125 USD! The supplies for these grab bags are limited though, so get them while they last! Click on the banner below to get there quickly!