The Tiny Closet

Last year, I decided to indulge in the creative, resort side of swimwear.  This year, the theme has been all.about.comfort.  In more ways than one.  I want to be comfortable in my clothes enough to forget about them and enjoy my life.  Especially when I'm at the beach. 

Getting ready for the festivities of July, I have been collecting swimwear for the past couple months.  Here and there :)

I actually don't like swimsuits.  It's very challenging to find suits or pieces that flatter my particular shape and the ones that take my breath away also leave me gasping for air at the price.  Every.single.year.  I wrestle with the choice of either investing in a truly fabulous, amazeballs swimsuit that puts my monthly student loan payment to shame and I can wear it for a few years - OR - I just go to Target and pick up the latest flavor for $20 and call it a Summer...  

Decisions, decisions...

This year, I didn't choose either.  Instead I thrifted, mixed and matched and thought outside the box.  I realize since I don't really swim anyway, and much prefer lounging and looking good, I decided to get more creative with my options.  Especially since these days, I am naturally finding myself more poolside than I have in my entire life.  

So here's Part One of my swimsuit chronicles:

a bandeau and half of a one-piece...

Anyway, I've been loving my new after-work ritual of scampering up to the roof top and going for a quick swim.  Even though the sun beats down on our pool all day, the water is still freezing (I don't get the science of that at all) but I jump in anyway.  It's a great way to just woooosh the stress of the day right out!  I guess the temperature changes are really relaxing because for the rest of the day, I feel as light as a feather.

Come back later this week for Part II!!

But no time to go anywhere.

sigh

Lately, I find myself racing to keep up with the demands of the day.  After toiling over the boring stuff of bills, cleaning and what seems to be endless errands, I find I've run out of my favorite conditioner, my nail polish is well overdue for a change, my brows are slowly connecting and my meals have evolved into takeout.

I realized it was time for some blissful quiet time when I practically lost it as I was racing out of my apartment and my doorman said:

"Is it that time of the month?"

(after a record screeching halt and some choice words I had planned to say back, I thankfully realized he was talking about the rent check I was holding in my hand...  

Yes.  I needed some quiet time indeed.

So as a personal treat to myself, and also as a reminder to keep things in my life simple and focused on what matters, 

I decided to finally finish my most favorite piece I've ever made.  This long Summer overcoat:

I made this overcoat from a sarong I bought while in the Philippines.  I thought I'd make the sleeves contrasting - to bring all the characters and colors of the panel to focus.  The panel on the sarong is of a beautiful sunset over a village beach.  I miss that gorgeous island immensely.

So I'm going to slow down a bit, catch my breath, get back to the little things like brow maintenance and manicures, and go eat a good dinner with my husband.

I'm out!

I've decided to finally work to materialize, one by one, all of the random clothing design ideas I've been thinking up.  One random idea being a hybrid version of a muumuu.

If you followed me during my trip through the Philippines, you know how in love I am with muumuus, or, house dresses.  Also, since I'm in permanent pool weather now, I have been settling my attention for the first time on swimsuit coverups.  Coverups have never appealed to me before, I think because the concept of them was just never applicable to my lifestyle (stepping from the pool into some glitzy sandals and a coverup to grab a drink at a nearby beach bar or to take a stroll on the boardwalk - yeah, I can say I've literally never needed to do that before) until now.

So - with our rooftop pool and 90 degree weather in the shade, I am finding my beloved muumuus to be a bit overbearing with their full coverage and heavier fabric.  And while I like the sexy femininity of a sarong or coverup, it has no place in the city at dinner or happy hour.  

I  wanted something more transitional and multi-purpose than a suit coverup or a muumuu.

So I created this:

I wanted something sexier, prettier, something elegant to look at.

So while I am definitely still attached to all the more traditional muumuus I've collected over the past year, creating the muumuu 2.0 gives me a more transitional piece to wear stylishly everywhere.  In fact, I went to dinner in this particular piece.  Popped on my cropped jacket and oxfords and headed out to celebrate a bday.  I love when clothing is dynamic!  Don't you?

Such is the Tiny Closet way...

I will definitely be wearing my new and improved muumuus all Summer long so if you're needing to see more pictures, come back next week!!  
I will surely have more for your viewing pleasure :)