On the hunt: modest swimwear

I'm on the search for a modest swimsuit, so for this edition of What I Wore Wednesday, I'm looking at what I wish I was wearing at the pool this summer. 

DivinitaSole Nautical Blue Gingham tankini top & bottom

Wow - in my search for something more modest, I've found there are lots of choices I wasn't anticipating...some very modest - way modest, and then some as above that are less modest, but still provide more coverage.

I have an almost 7 year old daughter. She's dying to wear a bikini like "everyone else." She asked me last summer why I can wear one and she can't. It's been difficult to justify that to her, especially when the reason I gave her is that we shouldn't be showing our bodies off to everyone. Too much is too much. Too much leaves nothing to the imagination. So, how can I keep wearing one, when I am trying to set an example for her that her worth is not in her body or physical appearance? 

The answer is, I can't. I can't expect her to understand what I'm trying to teach when I clearly go against it myself. This isn't about a 7 year old calling the shots. Quite the opposite. It's about attempting to change the way she sees herself...not as the world sees her, but as God sees her. 

And to him, she's the apple of His eye. (Psalm 17:8)

She is fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14)

Her beauty is from her gentle and quiet spirit. (I Peter 3:3-4)

Her life should bring Him good, not harm; and also glory all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:12)

So, I realized the lesson I've been trying to teach her I should also be considering for myself. My body is not my own. It belongs to God.

And as I posted yesterday, here's what I've been wearing a lot lately.

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Casual Friday at two thirty five designs and RMRS.

Summer wardrobe - transition - WIWW

Greetings friends. With some recent changes and transitions in my life, I find myself with a free summer full of swimming, playing outside, painting, rearranging furniture and chauffeur service with my 3 littles - Homerun kid, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

We have our plan of attack, and I have my work cut out for me.

And since I've worked most of my life since I had kids, I find myself with a wardrobe that's heavy on the work-wear side. And my casual clothes are pretty, um, casual...and old. Old as in, not appropriate to wear in public except for the late night run to Kroger for medicine or ice cream.

So, I find myself wondering what to wear...and changing clothes more times a day than Wonder Woman...how is that even possible?! Today I changed clothes 3 times before 5 p.m. You might say that's not much, but we're busy here, people...busy with summer fun stuff, so changing clothes gets in the way.

Here's what I think I would like to wear...think. Maybe I would hate it all and wish to be back in my cute cafe capri pants and wedges, with a silky tee and cardigan for the office. But that's not realistic with a 10, 6 and 4 year old running around. And it's even more impossible given the lovely Texas climate - sweltering with 100% humidity. So...

this top with those leggings

this top with those pants

this outfit sans shoes

THESE SHOES

these pants with that top and those sandals

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, twothirtyfive designs, and Real Momma, Real Style. Enjoy!

In review - a lot of repetition...I mean, favorites...

I repeat my favorite pieces over and over and often. Do you do that as well? I'd love to know. I would love your comments about how often you wear a favorite piece. Here are a couple I find myself reaching for on a regular basis. 

1. THIS SHOE.  I've been wearing this shoe a lot lately. And every time I wear it, I receive compliments. Plus they're comfortable. Bonus.

 2. THESE JEANS. This was my Saturday, baseball game outfit. Even baseball games call for sequins. Jeans are Lucky Brand.

3. THIS SKIRT and CARDIGAN. Maxi skirt, tank and cardigan...and the aforementioned shoes.

So tell me...what do you wear over and over?



Linking up with The Pleated Poppy and Momma Go Round.

In review...

Here's what I've worn recently...in the last week.

 The black and white sweater that might have to go...

 The shoes I wear all the time...

 One of my new favorite outfits...red, white and blue...

 And my new favorite shirt...animal print love!

Linking up with Momma Go Round for Real Momma, Real Style and The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

One photo - every day - day 7

Love this shirt from H&M. I got it in this print and in white.
Perfect for skinny jeans or leggings. I love that for comfy style. I wore this outfit two ways before the day was over. With a cardigan and wedges for work and then with flat flips to run errands in the evening. I paired it with a black, very thick, legging type of pant. But with the shape of the pant, you can wear it without a shirt to hide your bum...however, I did not do that.

Here's the pant...

 Here are the casual flips...

 And my new favorite shirt!

 Dressed up with cardigan for work...

 And wedges...my go-to shoe.

Stripes take 1

This is the best maxi dress for several reasons.
1. I made it. Yep, I made it myself.
2. It's striped and chocolate brown. Bonus points right there.
3. It's strapless which makes it super versatile.
4. I can dress up for work or dress way down for summer.

Here you go. Stripes take 1. Additional bonus points for cute boy in the photo.
Linking up with Real Momma, Real Style and with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW. You should too!

What I wore - something simple

A'telier Luxe black ankle length pants. Nordstrom Rack. (recent)
Old Navy coral red satin front, knit back tee. (recent)
Snakeskin print cardigan. Nordstrom. (not so recent)

 Comfy. Classic. Great work outfit. 

 I promise, I'm happy. I'm just staring into the sun.

Me Too heels from TJ Maxx. Love, love, love these shoes. Comfy. Great height. $39.95. Wish I could have these in many colors.

I'm linking up with Momma Go Round for Real Momma, Real Style.
I'm also linking up with The Pleated Poppy for WIWW.

On the heels of talking about the importance of feeling good in what you wear, I chose something simple today. I felt good in what I was wearing. I can't emphasize enough how important that is.
Nothing was too low, too tight or uncomfortable. I even sat at the park for an hour in this outfit. My outfits have to do double-duty. I have to be able to go from work to the park to the grocery store to wherever. This was perfect for all of the above.

Recap of what I've worn...lately...

This is my first time to link up with "What I Wore Wednesday" at The Pleated Poppy, and my second to link up with Real Momma, Real Style at Momma Go Round.
This blog is only a few weeks old, and clearly I have a long way to go; however, I'm loving this. Loving the opportunity to share and be creative. Loving this process and the documentation of days in my life.

Here's what I've worn lately:

• Blue Monday where I got inspiration from Style Your Life wearing my cobalt blue dress and nude boots
• What I was wearing when I met Kendi from Kendi Everyday
• My first two outfit posts...

And yes, I get dressed every other day not represented here. But until I get a better system of getting my photos taken, we may just have to go with 4 days of clothing per week. For now.