Swimsuits for Gorgeous Grown-Ups

Beautiful girls, we're coming up on one of the beach/pool-friendly holidays of the year- July 4th. This is the time of year for swimsuits, cookouts, and frolicking. Not for worry or shame. This Summer, let's challenge ourselves. Let's not just be adequate or OK or passable. Let's be awesome. Fierce. Drop-dead bombshell gorgeous. I'm not talking about buying anything. I'm talking about taking our confidence beyond lip service.
I see so many curvy and plus-size women in public who don't know yet to carry themselves with confidence. They're just hoping they've followed the right advice about covering up this, de-emphasizing that, balancing the top half with the bottom half, minimizing and so on. But, guess what? The people who tell you what you should and shouldn't wear DON'T KNOW YOU and they don't know your body. Take it all with a grain of salt because the big secret is this: some people want you to be as uptight as they are. Don't be. Be fabulous. Wear what you love, work it, and strut. Blow someone's mind. If you're happy and comfortable in it, throw your shoulders back and rock it.
Now, today we're talking about swimsuits. I don't really care where you get your swimsuit from as long as you feel GREAT in it. (Maybe you already have a super swimsuit at home!) Some of the Brickhouse sponsors have good ideas, but inspiration is everywhere so don't limit yourself. Take what you need from this post to go out and be you to the 10th power.

Always For Me Chic Natal Swim Dress - a top pick in this month's Essence magazine.


Tankini from Lane Bryant


Kiyonna Swimsuit


Old Navy Metallic Faux Tankini


I.F. Floral from Macy's



Catherine's Grommet Trim Swimdress



Now, you tell us! More swimsuit ideas???? Great! Please share all your thoughts with us (swimsuit related or not) in comments.

Help! How Do I Wear These Pants?

I don't mean that literally. I know that the only way to put pants on is "one leg at a time". But I could use some help figuring out how to wear my first ever pair of rock-chick leopard pants without looking like Peg Bundy.
Here's what happened: Recently, I've been buying basic pieces to support my work wardrobe. So I haven't been buying things that emphasize my wild side - and as many of you already know, I do have one! Well, yesterday, on a whim I purchased these Tripp leopard print pants from Torrid, WHICH I LURVE:




Don't laugh! I really like these. But have you ever bought something and then realized afterwards that you have no where to wear that particular item? That might be what happened here. So I'm asking for help. How would you rock these pants? (And I know some of you just wouldn't.) I've been able to pull off much wilder things that this in the past, but I could use some tips this time. How would you wear them? And is it at all possible to wear them to work? Help!

Hot New Summer Tops: Igigi

For years, Igigi has been known for its great career and formal clothing. But we're happy to see this line doesn't always take itself so seriously. Here are just a few of the fun, flirty tops Igigi is offering for the Summer.

Rita Top



Gaelle Flower Top


Claudia Wrap Top




Lucy Chiffon Top


See more of these sexy tops at Igigi.com We think any one of them would be great to wear with capris, clam diggers, a pencil skirt or denim. So tell us- where have you been finding your cute tops? And how do you wear them? We'd love to know!!

Jazzy Jewelry: Onyx Earrings from Nooni

We love these fun, sexy ear baubles from Nooni Jewelry . They're made of brass wire that has been wrapped with gold plated wire, adorned with an onyx briolette and hung on French ear wires.



2.5" long
Find them at Nooni's online store HERE.
$25

Maxi Dresses: To Tha Max!

If sunshine on your shoulders makes you happy, you're in luck. Summer is on the way and maxi dresses are back. These frocks are part of the new crop.


INC International Concepts at Macy's


Torrid.com

Morgan & Company Plus Size Long Grecian-Style Dress


Alight.com




B & Lu


oldnavy.com

Designer Jellies? Seriously?

I blame Crocs for opening the gateway to this rubberized madness. Everyone seems to be celebrating the return of jellies, albeit with a designer price tag. And I so want to join the plastic parade. Afterall, we're every bit as "luxe" as the next blog and I actually think some of these shoes are fun. I also know that bringing back the 80s doesn't exactly mean bringing back 80s prices. But, let's not be silly. (Or let's, as long as we know we're being silly?) Just how much do designers expect the average American woman to pay for plastic and PVC? Especially when a high price tag can do nothing to shield us from the inevitably squishy sweaty-ness that is sure to follow. Sorry, but this particular case is just see-thru.



Sorry, Marc Jacobs for using your shoe that way. Anyway, take a glance at the jellies being offered this year.





( Vivienne Westwood by Melissa - $149 , Tory Burch - $96, Marc Jacobs - $100 , Gucci - $195, Givenchy - $174, and Stuart Weitzman - $119.)

The good news is that if you ARE ready for this jelly, you can absolutely get in on this look for a sensible price. Both Target and Old Navy are also doing the jellies thing. You just might be able to pick up a pair for single digits.

Here's another way to look at the designer gels: If you've always wanted to own a pair of Jimmy Choo's and thought you never would, these $175 jelly-babies just might be the cheapest Choos and the chance you've been waiting for:

Right?

Fab Friday Fake Out!

Alright, Recessionistas. Still looking for good deals? We have yet another fabulous find in our Friday Fake Out series. This one is a big, deep navy handbag with gorgeous lines in synthetic leather.



Emy Satchel from Baghaus
$57