Holiday!

Taken from my Instagram; DarlingDilemma

Oh what a long hiatus!
If you are anything like me you have almost no interest in an excuse, only a desire to get back into the swing of things.

Recently my husband & I went on our first ever vacation together. It only took 12 years but it was fabulous all the same.  Since I have been staring at snow and sleet, ice and grey skies for a few days, I think it is only appropriate that I start back in Cuba, with some sunny shots.

 

Besides the sun, sand and surf it was pretty exciting to pack for our first tropical vacation and I was a bit obsessive about it.  I dragged the suitcase out a month before our expedition and left it open.  Every time I thought of something I wanted to bring, or came across something to buy I just added it to the suitcase. So here are some snapshots of my favorite vacation wear items;

One of my Walmart scores for this trip - my beach hat for $10!

Polka dot halter top from Heartbreak Boutique (necklace from my Etsy shop Darling Dilemma)

 



A bargain shopping find for $15!

 

 

My other successful Walmart find, the $30 swimsuit

 

 



And finally this fantastic cover up from Pennington's & some new shades!

 



It was a pretty fantastic first vacation and now that we have caught the travel bug the only question is, Where next?

OOTD Goodnight Irene

By now everyone has heard of Hurricane Irene hitting the east coast. Luckily by the time it hit my part of the world it had been down graded & our city had very little damage.  Yesterday was high winds & tides.... today all was beautiful again.

In fact, it might be some of the best weather we've had all summer!
I took advantage of the amazing skies, misty blowing of the sea & hit the shore with my tripod.

Second hand skirt from Torrid. Top from Addition Elle (years ago!). Bracelet, Forever 21.

I've had this skirt for months now but keep forgetting that my wonderful friend Vanessa sent it to me from Toronto. Today was finally the day to wear it.  The top is a favorite but shows plenty of cleavage so isn't always appropriate - hanging at the beach with coffee & a friend seems cleavage appropriate to me!

A little fun in the sun (and a mad dash from the waves!)...

Saint's Rest Beach, Saint John, New Brunswick

Just an all around great summer moment, when there are so few left to be had...

Sun Kissed!

While they aren't the most professional fashion blog photos, in fact they are pretty much a throw back to the myspace days of self portraits but I was feeling so perfectly sun kissed & happy in the sun that I couldn't help but share!

Mispec Beach, New Brunswick

It was my first real beach visit of the summer & it was a spectacular one! Perfect weather & company, & as you can tell... the perfect view.

This swimsuit is last year's & a rare perfect find from Old Navy.  Although it doesn't have the support I would like, it has garnered a few wolf whistles from the husband (& after 11 years together, who can't help but enjoy that!).
I'm still dreaming of my perfect suit from Get Go Retro though (seen here)!!
Until the swimsuit fairies deliver (as my friend Susan says lol), this one will have to do.

I leave you with one last look at my playground....

Fabulous Heat!

After spending several days outside in the beating sun, crisping up & selling my line of Darling Dilemma jewelry to locals, tourists & cruise ship passengers all that I can think about is beach time!!

With a decent base tan now, and a Moose Light Ginger (possibly my new summer bevvy of choice, although highly unlikely that I would give up a long time love of Pina Coladas!!) I find myself stuck in front of the computer browsing swimsuits...

Every woman knows this is a daunting & emotional task, one that won't improve with the above mentioned beer.

plus swimwear by fulloffabulous featuring a polka dot swimwear

Polka dot swimwear

Okay so I gave up mid blog & focused more on sleep & beer than swimwear... so apparently this is a 2 day blog...

The above swimsuit was what I was leaning towards.. polka dot, full coverage, a nice neckline with a bit of a retro feel to it!
Below is my other selection, similar but with slight differences...

Miraclesuit swimwear (clipped to polyvore.com)

Both of these polka dot swimsuits are available from Evans who is having some rather incredible sales on swimwear at the moment.  Shipping to Canada & the US costs 8pounds & takes about a week. Not too shabby!

As I sat there drinking, tweeting & pondering a new swimsuit a friend sent them the following link for Get Go Retro and then all things went to hell...

Jungle Girl One Shoulder Swimsuit $109
*also available in leopard

Filled with retro wear in a variety of sizes, for a variety of shapes, Get Go Retro is one of the funnest online shops I've stumbled upon lately!
I know at least a few of my girls will feel faint after seeing this one;

Skipper Swimsuit

And I am sure any who know me in person would assume this darling cherry piece would be my suit of choice!


Cherry Tankini $118

 But it's not... It runs a close second but once I saw this suit, all bets were off!



Rockabilly Skull Tankini $130



One friend acclaimed it 'killer' once I posted it on facebook... At $130 it currently out of my price range (and IS killing me - does that count??) but it is at the TIP-TOP of my wish list.


Well right below a Pina Colada.