Bringing sexy back...to the one piece

As mentioned in my first swim suit post, I truly believe that the perfect one piece bathing suit is akin to the Holy Grail.  I have a broad and deep respect for the bikini in it's many incarnations.  A really well fitting bikini is a dream come true.  Even still, I have almost never seen a truly beautiful one piece bathing suit in person.  Sadly, most I have seen and experienced, seem to squash the beautiful aspects of a woman's body in a MOST unflattering fashion.  But still, the dream lived on.  Occasionally in an old film, the heroine would appear in a simple yet glamorous swimming costume leaving me to think..."There must be a way to find such suit for myself".  I longed for the elegance and power that such a suit exudes.

With no further ado, it is my great pleasure to announce that THE SEARCH IS OVER.  With my new Malia Mills Damsel suit in rich, shimmering henna, my life has been changed forever.  After trying on several different styles at the bright cozy boutique, I am now thoroughly convinced that the one piece bathing suit can be the most alluring and elegant piece in a woman's swim wardrobe.  The fit and detail of these Malia Mills suits is truly beyond compare.  Honestly, how often do you shop for swimwear and encounter the challenge of deciding between several suits that look and feel amazing?  It was not an easy decision, but a very fun one!

Special thanks to Jim, Helen, Rachel, Sarah and Diana for the thoughtful and generous birthday gifts of Malia Mills gift certificates!  What a thrill!  

My 34th Birthday - One for the Books

Growing up, birthdays were big in our house.  Each birthday morning began with members of the family dog-piling on the sleeping birthday boy or girl and yelling "Happy Birthday!!!".  It may not sound fun, but it was.  The celebration always seemed to last at least a few days.  

I was at home until just after my 19th.  Years 20 - 25 were my single days in LA, so birthday fun was pretty easy to come by.  I turned 26 just after Doug and I got engaged, and he took me to Disneyland that year.  By my 27th, we were expecting Olivia, and things were starting to shift.  No longer was I the center of the universe, and my birthday the most exciting day of the year.  I suppose this is a normal step in maturation.  Sadly though, my birthday celebrations were kind of a slippery slope from there.

Last year was especially bad.  It culminated with my getting pulled over for an incomplete stop at a stop sign.  NOT GOOD!

So, let me tell you what been happening THIS year!

Yesterday, I got a card from my sweet mom along with some mad money (yes- it will go toward my new MM).  Thanks Mom!

Today, my friend, Shawna, took Michelle (she turned 33 on Feb 4th) and me out to a lovely birthday lunch at Lemon Moon.  So fun.  Doug came home for his lunch hour and watched all three kids, so I could lunch in a very relaxed fashion.  It was awesome!!!  They each had their babies with them, and were surprised when I showed up without mine.  They said that they are so accustomed to seeing me wear Conrad all the time, it was shocking to see me show up without him.  We had a wonderful time.  There is nothing quite like being able to to visit with your friends with no distractions.  I actually did start to miss my kids by the end of lunch, isn't that funny?

THEN...I get home and the UPS man rings the bell.  I buzz him in, and guess what?  He had a package for me.  I open it up to find.... (drum roll, please) a gift certificate to Malia Mills from my lovely SIL's Diana and Rachel.  WOW - now that is some serious thoughtfulness.  Thanks guys!  I am in a shocked state of joy...

I haven't had a birthday like this in many years.  AND there is still more to come!  Tonight I am meeting my old work friends at El Chollo in Pasadena (this reunion just happened to coincide with my big day), AND THEN staying in Pasadena and meeting up with Dani and Brooke for a movie...Tomorrow (my actual birthday) we have a play date at travel town with my SIL, Sarah, and her kids and then...I'll pick up a red velvet cake from Suzie Cakes in Brentwood for our family celebration tomorrow night.

Now, this is a birthday!

Amen

I found this wonderful talk at LDS.org today, and had to share it.  I have spoken in sacrament meeting twice on Mother's Day, and kind of blown it both times.  This is what I wish I had said.  I add my testimony to that of Sister Pace.  Mothering our children in a loving and respectful way requires the overcoming of our selfish tendencies, which leads to true joy - the object and design of our existence.  There have been dramatic changes in me since undertaking and embracing the path of motherhood.  I am a more conscious and evolved person.  I better understand the "why" behind many gospel principles.  I know that more growth lies ahead in the years to come.  

As an aside, I think it is so important to change and reframe our thinking about the role of children in our lives.  They are not burdens to be borne, they are not weights around our necks.  They are our spirit brothers and sisters, entrusted to our care for the early part of their mortal lives.  The human infant is born the most dependent of any mammal, and has the longest period of dependency.  The infant, baby, toddler and child need us in both physical and emotional ways.   As we feed, clothe, and love each member of our household we should be mindful of the Savior's example, and remember that as we serve them, we serve Him.  

Jeff and Andrea - Married December 30, 2008

Here Comes Trouble!

This is a picture from our second Bethlehem night (back in December).  I found it on the Christensen's blog, and I about died.  Yes, he's on top of our car.

Malia Mills Coupon - Lucky Day!

I am thrilled to share this special offer with my readers.  Click on the iPaper icon to print or email the coupon to yourself and your friends.  Valid in store or online through August 31, 2009.

Publish at Scribd or explore others: How-To & DIY coupons coupon

Friday the 13th - Mark your calendar now!

In our household we have (almost) too many fun occasions to celebrate in February. The 8th is the anniversary of our engagement (you'll find us at Cafe 50's).  The 19th is my birthday (I'll be 34 this year).  The very auspicious Valentine's Day falls on the 14th (red and pink together, what fun!).  This year though, February 13th has suddenly become VERY EXCITING and IMPORTANT!

SPOILER ALERT*****This post is about to get really crazy, and will make very little sense to anyone, and absolutely none if you are a man.******

I must start by explaining that I have always had a love for swimwear as long as I can remember.  I think it all started with a bathing suit my mom bought for me when I was four or five.  This beloved bathing suit was embellished with a beach scene featuring some favorites from the cast of Sesame Street.  What is not to love, right?  

Fast forward to adulthood... As a single girl living and working in Century City, I had easy access to all the shopping a girl could want.  This was especially handy at the start of swimsuit season (every West Coast girl knows that preparation starts in February or March - for a spring debut).  As Bloomingdales shifted from a small selection of resort suits, to the full-on summer extravaganza of swimwear, I would be there (a lot).  Doing my due diligence - that is - researching that seasons trends, fabrics and silhouettes.  (Basically, trying on a LOT of swimsuits.) 

A few years into my marriage, I learned of a designer out of New York that had revolutionized the whole game.  Her name was Malia Mills, and she felt that swim wear should fit and flatter like fine lingerie.  She creates and cuts all her suits for specific body types and sell them by bra sizes.  Brilliant, right?  She started her company with the slogan "Love thy differences".  The second I saw her website, I was hooked.  There was only two things standing between me and one of her suits: 

1. Distance - Online shopping is not my forte, least of all for swimsuits!!!  Also, they offer many choices online, but some of the most exciting options in fabric/ cut combos are only found in her stores.
2. Cost - Her stuff  is amazing.  It is made in the US from the finest Italian fabrics.  I fully embrace that you get what you pay for, but budgetary limitations do exist.

Finally after many years of dreaming, I got my first (and only) Malia Mills suit.  I ordered online after a few phone consults with the boutiques back east.  Lo and behold, my package arrived and the suit was perfect.  It exceeded my expectations on every level (fit, workmanship, fabric).  All of a sudden, every other dollar I had ever spent on another swimsuit seemed like a tremendous waste.

Fast forward to TWO DAYS AGO...I started thinking that this would be my year to find the perfect one piece (having already found the perfect two piece - see above).  The Blake Lively spread in Vogue featured a beautiful, black Michael Kors maillot.  After a busy day, I finally found a couple minutes to see what Malia Mills had to offer in a similar style.  The second my browser opened on her site, I saw the most exciting announcement EVER.  In pretty pink italics the page casually mentioned that a new boutique is opening on February 13th...in California...in Santa Monica...at...THE BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART!!!   Can you believe this?????  Are you getting the many implications????  If not, I will lay them out for you.

1. Not only can I now see, touch and try on everything she offers at her boutique to my hearts content..
2. It is located at my MOST FAVORITE SHOPPING DESTINATION IN THE WORLD...okay maybe not the world, but in LA for sure.  
3. The new boutique is only a few miles from my house.
4. It will now be possible to enjoy a City Bakery pretzel croissant after my shopping, I mean research, excursions.
5. That's all I can think of and my brain is getting cloudy with excitement just thinking about the whole incredible reality.

Okay so the truth is, it has taken me two days to calm down enough to write this post.  When I got the news, I literally fell down on the floor making noises that were a combination of joy and shock.   I may not be quite ready to blog about this yet.  (I am struggling to make cohesive sentences due to my excitement.)  But, it's too late.  Let me leave you with the following advice: 

1. Start saving for this years suit NOW!!!
2. Get to the Brentwood Country Mart on or as soon after February 13th as possible.

I think that's it...happy swimsuit season!!!