Confession: I shop…a lot.

Year after year one thing is always for sure: about mid-March to early April I hear girls complaining in the dressing room about the upcoming swimsuit season.  Now every girl has insecurities about her body, but I promise you that every girl can feel comfortable and look beautiful on the beach.  All you have to do is figure out what your body type is and go from there

Most people are aware of the four basic body types: boyish, the apple, the pear, and the coveted hourglass. Now you may not fit exactly into one of these body types, as some women can fit into more than one category.  (Example: An athletic and muscular pear.) I myself am a pear, though in the right clothing can look like an hourglass. 

To narrow down your swimsuit choices, consider the following tips:

• Think about what shapes you’re most comfortable wearing.  As a pear, I like to wear tops and dresses that are tailored or fit-and-flair because the waist is defined and makes me look more like an hourglass.  When it comes to swimsuits, I love swimdresses that have a shape to them like our Gaby suit, or one-pieces that have detailing on the waistline such as with the belt on our Ann suit. Whatever your regular clothes look like is probably the type of shape you should look for in a swimsuit. We’ve never seen our Marie look bad on anyone!
• Ruching is a girl’s best friend. No matter what your body type may be, ruching is always a good thing.  Even if you are more slender without much shape, strategically placed ruching as found in our Eliza suit can create the optical illusion of a curvy figure. And for curvier girls, ruching is great for hiding problem areas so check out our Ann suit as well!
• Try layering. Layering is always key when it comes to dressing modestly, and swimwear is no exception.  I bought some really cute swimsuit bottoms with pockets on the front that I couldn’t figure out how to show off since I prefer my tankini tops to be longer.  Then it occurred to me to put the boyshorts over a one-piece to get the two-piece look, without the worry of ermm…extra spillage or a wardrobe malfunction.

The great thing about our line here at Rey Swimwear is that there is a style for every body type – yes even for you busty girls! (Try the Holly, or Eliza styles and keep your eyes peeled for an add-on option for underwire bra support coming soon!) We’ll be re-stocking for Spring! So look around the site, and if you have any questions, email us for more help!

XOXO,

Rebecca

Photo Credit: Gisela Francisco

We say “Celebrate Yourself”

You look in the mirror. You can name all your faults instantly- too fat, too skinny, too tall, and too short. The list can go on and on….and on. It’s easy to get down on ourselves for all the things we are NOT.  Listen, there are enough people in the world who can tear you down, so there is no need to do it to yourself.

Audrey Hepburn once said: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, and walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”  Great advice.  At ReySwimwear we say “Celebrate Yourself!”

How do you do that?

Focus on the Positive:

When you look in the mirror find the things you like about yourself- say it out loud.  Write yourself notes and stick them to the mirror if you need reminding or even use lipstick. It may feel silly at first, but you will notice an improvement in the way you feel if you keep practicing. This is a skill that has to be learned. It won’t come overnight. Think about all the days, months, years you have told yourself what is wrong with you. Now, it’s time to tell yourself what is right.  Get a business card, write a few things you like about yourself. Look at it whenever you need a reminder.

Stop Comparing:

You think you are fine, till you notice someone else who is: better, richer, prettier.  ERRRR just get rid of the comparing. It can be lethal. Don’t assume that anyone’s life is perfect- no one’s life is.  

No more Conditions

When I get a boyfriend, then I’ll be happy. If I get that promotion, then I’ll be okay. If I just loose ten more pounds….Don’t just celebrate yourself when you DO something specific. You are valuable just how you are and you don’t need anyone else to tell you that.  No one else can give you self-worth.

Dream

Get a journal. Write down anything and everything that comes to mind.  Draw pictures or make it a gratitude journal. Cut out beautiful pictures, quotes that you love, birthday cards and paste them in your book.

Got any more ideas? We’d love to hear them. Tell us how you “Celebrate Yourself” in the comments below:

XOXO

Maryann

Cautionary Tale: Exhibit 1

The other day I told a colleague that diet and sun protection are 75% of the battle against aging and leather skin.  I was mistaken.  Sun protection by itself is 75% of the battle.  I cannot overemphasize the need for sunscreen no matter your age, melanin quotient, or desire to tan.  There’s a lot of info and even more products to choose from and they all work, in different ways.  For myself, I alternate between 3 daily sunscreens.  As a person with dry AND oily/acne prone fair skin that can best be described as “dermis with pervasive personality disorder,” I navigate daily between the desire to block the heck outa those carcinogenic rays, red nose and cheeks and clogged pores.  Regardless, everyday one must slather up.  

Since these creams are the ones you will know daily, I suggest you try as many samples as possible to see how your skin reacts to various brands.  After trying many many brands, I’ve found that price is not always an indicator of effectiveness.  What matters most is that any sunscreen you choose includes the following attributes:

• SPF 30 or higher
• Broad spectrum
• Water resistant
• Something you are happy to apply every day.  Whatever it takes: fragrance, packaging, size... I don’t care.  Whatever it takes to get it on your face.

Now this is not necessarily a look I advocate at home or on your Target run, unless your initials are ADR, but there is a myriad of awesome straw visors, panama hats, floppy felt hats and lord knows what to give you that added protection.

In review, find a sunscreen.  Use it.  Employ a multifaceted coverage system as the excuse to purchase a new hat.  And you should be good to go.

XOXO 

Kelly T. 

Photo credits: http://www.advancedskinwisdom.com/wordpress/2011/cosmetic-dermatologist-and-surgeon-nj/tanning-how-do-i-safely-tan/ and http://www.chaos-mag.com/the-balenciaga-visor/

How to be a Good Friend

The thing I have learned about friendship is that the key is not to have many friends but to have good, loyal friends.  I’ve had many friendships in life. Some have lasted a long, long time while others have only lasted a short time.  I’ve learned a few things that help friendships grow.

A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.”   

Winnie the Pooh 

Be Thoughtful

It’s not just about the big occasions, though it is important to celebrate birthdays and the like. Good friends celebrate even when there is no reason.  Send a card, even if your friend lives right down the street, offer to babysit or bring her a cup of her favorite coffee before an early morning test. It’s the little things that go a long way.  Meaningful text messages can brighten up a person’s day, especially if it has been a tough one.  

Sit on the Couch

You don’t have to do anything, not really.  Friendships are built more in the being and not so much in the doing. Some of my most memorable times have taken place just sitting with a friend on a comfy couch with a cup of coffee or glass of wine.  It’s where deep conversations and roll on the floor laugh fests have taken place.   If you like the same TV show, go over and watch every week.  Don’t be afraid to invite someone into your home, that’s where friendships are formed.

Listen

Sometimes you need to be quiet and listen. Even if you don’t want to hear the story, even if you have heard the story a dozen times before. Just be quiet and really listen. Sometimes when a person repeats a story, there is something else they are trying to say.  Don’t think about what you are going to say next. Listen.

Check yourself

Don’t be the person that only calls when you need someone. No one likes to feel used and that is not the basis of any real friendship. You know the people. You see their name light up on your phone and you want to answer by saying “What do you want?”  Friends absolutely help each other, but if it is one sided or if all you are doing is helping. That is not friendship. It’s free labor or counseling.

Also see how you feel after you’ve spent some time with your friend. Do you feel exhausted? Do you feel ugly inside? Do you feel content or happy? There were times when I’d go home from having dinner with a friend and feel exhausted inside. It was because they had spent the whole night gossiping or it just took too much effort. The key to being a good friend is surrounding yourself with people who make you a better person. Distancing yourself from the gossips, mean girls, and one-uppers will help you be better friends to your true friends.

Value each other

You know those people you would call if someone in your family died or you ended up in the hospital? Those people you would call if you just got engaged or got a promotion? Those are your friends.  Value them. 

XOXO

Maryann B

Some of our swimsuits on Pinterest are linked to our old website!  Help others link to our new site by entering our giveaway!

PINTEREST GIVEAWAY

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Rey Swimwear product pages  and Pin an item you like onto your board on Pinterest.  Comment on the giveaway post on our blog with a link to your pin url (the link to your pin).

You can pin a different item once/day and comment each day on this post with your pin url.


Optional Entries: (please leave a comment on this post with each additional entry you complete)

Share the giveaway on your Facebook page!

Share the giveaway on your Twitter page!

The winner will be chosen at random on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 12:00pm PST and will receive a swimsuit of their choice!   Entries will close Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:00am PST.

Swimsuit subject to availability. Entries received after Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:00am PST will not be included in selection of a winner.

Behold! There is a way to create perfect, frizz-free curls while working with the natural texture of your hair. The key: That diffuser part in the junk drawer. Chris and Vanessa from Salon 25 in Cypress, CA de-mystify the secret behind smooth, shiny spirals that stay that way, all day. 

Here comes the twist (pun intended). You've seen scads of celebs and sidewalk divas alike wearing the half-shaved look- While it looks cool, most of us aren't ready to part ways with half of our mane. Mai Ties (no relation to the fruity drink) are the answer to this dilemma! Chris and Vanessa walk us through a few simple steps to achieve a similar look, minus the plunge. These simple hair twists can also be used to create a headband for a softer look.

Check it out and enjoy!