Pssst. The giveaway is over there! It ends tomorrow, July 4th, at 9pm Pacific.

So… Next week I’m going on vacation! I don’t exactly have to catch a plane or a boat or a train, though I am going to brave the ever-terrifying bus ride back allll by myself and let me tell you, re-reading Winona’s experiences with that bus service did not help my terror at all.

But regardless!

This is a photo of me and Savvy, my friend who lives Far Away who I get to go visit. We’re going to enjoy many days in the sunshine, maybe spend some time on a boat, and most likely spend a good chunk of our time (and money) at flea markets and antique stores.

I’ve been meaning to purchase a really nice, expensive swimsuit online for this trip, but because of my work schedule and my easily-distracted personality, (Hey look! Shiny things!) I just recently came to terms that I waited too long to do so. I didn’t really have the time to go swimsuit shopping, so I contented myself with casually looking through the reject-bathing suits in the fitting room and wishing I could find the perfect one.

What were my requirements for said perfect bathing suit?

1. My size. (Sometimes hard to find, sadly.)
2. One piece. (Tankini?! HAHAHAHAAAAA, who are you kidding?)
3. Super flattering. (Can I get a “What, what” ladies?)
4. Red And White Polka-dotted.
5. (the one I could give or take) Style: Semi-vintagey.

I walked into the back warehouse room one night, looking for trashbags and saw it. Messily crumpled in a red-and-white-heap on a table amongst other swimsuits, my swimsuit called to me.

I’m not even going to lie and admit that I dropped the trashbag and ran across the warehouse to examine it. Red. White. Polka-dotted. Cute style, one piece… my size.

YES.

It was even a decent price, and my later trip to the fitting room (Not on work time, I swear!) revealed it to be the absolute perfection in bathingsuit cuts. Cute. Vintagey. Red-and-white-polka-dotty. Flattering. My size!

And now mine.

Not pictured: red lipstick wearing pin-up girl

(Did I mention that there was only one?! FATE.)
Obviously I wanted a red-and-white-polka-dotty swimsuit to match my AMAZING red ruffley umbrella, as well as my red-and-white-polka dotty $3 wedges. (all pictured) While I may never actually be a pin-up model, I content myself in knowing that I already own some of the gear needed.

Sadly, since I’m riding the bus home, the red-and-white umbrella will not actually be making an appearance, but that’s okay… my red wedges and my red lipstick will give me the strength to carry on!

I think this might evolve into another Shopping Advice Tip. ‘Go to the store, the perfect thing might be there, waiting for you, it just might be the wrong time of year, or not what you’re looking for Right At That Moment. Or it might be! Don’t worry about forcing the find.’

Orrrrr something.