Maddie Lynn: Summer 2015

Showing posts with label Summer 2015. Show all posts

My Picks: Modest Summer Suits

Thursday, June 22, 2017

1) Anthropologie Seafolly Flower Festival Boyleg 2) Jessica Rey Celia In Gingham 3) Anthropologie Seea Lido Camburi one piece 4) Jessica Rey Marie in Tropical Punch 5) Modcloth Beach Blanket Bingo 6) Anthropologie Seafolly Riviera Boyleg 7) Jessica Rey Regina

Shop My Other Favorite Suits:

In my latest post I talked about summer heat and swimsuit season, and because of that I thought it would be fun for me to talk a bit more about swimsuits, share my tips for how I pick them, my favorite styles, and places you fan find cute and modest suits!

Now, like I said in my last post, I might have different swimsuit standards than you, but regardless of that I love each of my summer swimsuits and feel equally covered, confident, and modest in each one:) I have slightly evolved in my swimsuit styles over the years and have started going more with classic and retro styles (which fits with my personal style). When I was growing up my summer suits typically consisted of a swim skirt and a modest tankini top, but over the years I have discovered other suits that fit my style more accurately and still align with my modesty standards.

Truthfully, there is often a fine line between modest and immodest when it comes to swimsuits and ones standards. Some people choose to wear swim shorts with a swim shirt, some a swim skirt and swim top, and others like me a modest one piece or tankini. It really comes down to what you are comfortable in and what your standards for modesty are. Thus, while it is sometimes hard to find a suit that fits into your standards, if you look hard enough or find brands with a focus on modesty the hunt will be a bit easier.

With that being said, I have come to discover that there are a decent amount of one piece swimsuits that cover all that I want to be covered.....what I mean by this is that they are not super low cutting, they have padding (which I love for extra support), and they have a retro (#5)/short style bottom (#7) (I sometimes call them grandma bottoms) which simply means they cover my backside (unlike typical bikini or swimsuit bottoms). With all of those standards in place there are a lot of options depending on the kind of suit I want. I could go a swim dress route, pick a retro style one piece, or a two piece like my Jessica Rey suit (#2).....and in all honesty I have one of each style I just mentioned:)

I will say however, that my #1 TIP for finding a good quality and well fitting modest one piece is to shop in the women's section. You will never find (for the most part) anything that covers in its fit in the junior section, so the women's department is always where I look. Nonetheless, if you want something more trendy without sacrificing modesty, take a look at Jessica Rey, who my sister and I are both wearing this year (and LOVE). Their styles are to die for, they are all made in the USA (bonus points for being ethical), some are vintage inspired (and even named after Audrey Hepburn characters) and one of their sayings is "it doesn't have to be itsy bitsy" which fits perfectly in line with my swimsuit views!

Hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into my swimsuit thoughts and can't wait to share more summer pool style!

-Madison

Last Rendezvous

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Well dear readers......I am back for another post (though slightly off schedule time). However, before I begin my post today I wanted to take a few moments to thank you all for the lovely comments on my last post :) I was not able to personally respond to all of them like I usually do since I was out of town (hence the pictures from todays post), but nonetheless I wanted to say a general "Thank You" to everyone!

Also, on the topic of your comments I greatly appreciated all the camera advice and suggestions......I can't wait to play around more and put them into practice!!

However, lets get on with today's post shall we! :)

Blouse: Good Will (Anne Taylor); Pants: Thrifted; Belt: Minnie's Menagerie;
Purse: Mom's old Coach; Sunglasses: Five Below

The past few days (Monday-Wednesday) I went on a short trip with my mom and best friend as the last rendezvous before school starts. We went camping at Guadalupe River State Park (one of my favorite places to camp). However, camping was not the only thing we did.....oh no! On our way down Monday we stopped off at the charming little town of Gruene and mosyed around a bit, peaking in the shops, mulling over antiques, walking through the old dance hall, eating ice cream, and of course taking pictures!

The Antique store in Gruene was fabulous! I found an absolute treasure tucked away in a stack of old magazines and I can't wait to share it on the blog next week (I might have been freaking out just a "little" bit)! Besides antiques we thoroughly enjoyed taking a peak inside Gruene Hall (pictured above). Libby and I are big into country dancing ourselves so visiting an old dance hall was such a treat :) We finished off the the day with ice cream because....who wouldn't....then we headed to the campsite to get set up.

I don't know if any of you have ever been to the river (any river) but they are the most relaxing trips ever!!! The Guadalupe river is so clear, cool, and refreshing that you can't help but take a nap in your tube after you jumped off of the jumping root a few times :)

Matching Bathing Suits thrifted a year apart....what are the odds!!

The second day we headed into New Braunfels for a little shopping. We ended up finding the Antique store of ALL Antique stores so far and spent close to two hours perusing the books, magazines, glassware, clothes, and records.

I was completely over the moon (to say the least) when I found a stand FULL of old LIFE magazines!!! I don't know about you but I have been antiquing since I was young and never once have I found a good collection of old magazines if any at antique stores, so this stand was a jackpot!! If you see the magazine with Princess Elizabeth on the cover (far left corner) I actually purchased that LIFE magazine. I even found a few more collections of LIFE magazines throughout the store which is a rarety for me :)

Oh, and can we talk about the clothes!!!! To say that this was the Antique store of ALL Antique stores is no understatement for there were at least three stalls full of vintage clothes, ranging from the 1930's-1960's. I was in Heaven :) However, it never fails that when you find a treasure trove worth every penny in your wallet you don't have many penny's to spare (boo hoo). Thus, the lovely dresses, hats, and purses, would have to be left behind for now.

I absolutely fell In LOVE with the dress to the right!!

Oh boy.....and did I mention Records!!! This store had a record collection that was absolutely Tickety cBoo (in good order or find). Libby and I were enthralled! The records were very well organized by genre and letter which was very helpful. I ended up deciding on a record from a musical called Over Here staring the Andrews Sister which was a bonus!! I am actually listening to it right now:)

Blouse: Thrifted (Old Navy); Skirt: Vintage; Belt: Thrifted; Necklace: Target; Hat: Forever21

To say the least the short trip was an absolute blast!!

Nothing can beat relaxing in the cool river in 103 degree Texas heat and shopping at fabulous Antique stores :)

This was definitely a perfect trip before the fall semester starts back up!

Until next week with some exciting posts hitting the blog!!!

Have you ever found a fabulous antique store?

Do you like going to the river?

Have you heard of the musical Over Here?

P.S. Head on over to STANDOUTgirl for this weeks post on your Divine Burden.

Seaside Travel Traipsing

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Sunglasses: Forever21; Necklace: Icings (borrowed from sister)

Ahoy and Aloha dear readers! (just a little bit of beachy lingo) I must say it seems like it has been far to long since I posted an actual outfit post (I think I get withdrawls if its to long?). Anyhow, today's post is all about this past weekends trip my family and I took to Galveston, which is the closest beach near us whose ocean is the Gulf of Mexico. While these trips typically consist of entire days spent at the beach. this particular trip was a little more low key. However, Saturday was the real fun as Me, my Mom, and my Sister headed downtown for a quick tour of the Bishops Mansion (an old stately home) and some shopping (its a beach tradition).

Ever since I can remember going shopping downtown Galveston has always been a treat. From the old and beautiful buildings, unique shops, old fashioned ice cream parlors, fellow beach goers, the bay with ships, and the history of the town nothing is more exciting. While I will admit I am not much of a beach fan (as in getting in the water) I do so enjoy the atmosphere of the beach. Oh....and can I just have a beautiful beach house please!!!! Seriously though, the houses weather they are near the beach or downtown are simply stunning (totally gush worthy). And of course as a blogger you must always scope out perfect picture spots and boy was the sidewalk I found Peerrrfffeeeccccttttt!!!

Blouse: Minnie Muse; Shorts: Thrifted (vintage); Shoes: Salt Water Sandals (ModCloth)

The Mornings getting ready went down like this:

My Sister: "That is what you are wearing?"

Me: "YES"

Mom: "That shirt doesn't even match those shorts!"

Me: "Um, yes it does (in my mind)."

Mom: "Ok (there is no talking her out of this)."

Me: "Besides, I really want to wear this top and these shorts are the only ones that are high wasted enough and they are my favorite!!"

Mom: Just stares and nods

My Sister: Looks at me with her all to common face when I am finished getting dressed, which says

"You are so weird! You know that don't you?"

Me: "I know....I am weird" (and smile mischievously)

There is peek into my life....hehe! Okay, but seriously I didn't care if the shirt matched the shorts or not. When you have two pieces that you are simply dying to wear you might as well wear them together! After all you are going shopping (an excuse to dress different) and you are at the beach on vacation (another reason to be creative and have fun). To top it off you MUST wear a hat! I have never been much into hats but I can tell you this summer I have turned over a new leaf in the area of wearing hats. I personally think the hat made this outfit...besides it helped me look like a traveler/tourist.

Hat: Forever21

I have been looking for a pair of 1940's styled shades for the summer and finally found the perfect pair at Forever 21. Aren't they just fabulous!!! I can't wait to wear them with more 40's looks:)

Remember the "gush worthy" houses??? Do you....do you??? This is one of the many stunningly perfect homes that I want to live in, or just look inside of. It is just simply magical and makes me want to have tea parties and drink tea in the garden from fine china and make lemonade and wear big hats.

Zinias....LOVE them!!!

The Infamous LaKing's which is our seaside tradition! Let me just say that nothing beats the homemade old fashioned ice cream at this place! When you step through the doors you are transported back in time where the workers wear white shirts and cute old fashioned paper hats and serve you heavenly ice cream or make you a malt or box up homemade chocolates or throw freshly pulled taffy at you. This is the experience and the stop to make! LaKing's has been around forever and my family has made it a priority to stop and get ice cream ever since I can remember.

I would have loved to take pictures of the inside, for that is where all the magic happens, we unfortunately went on a Saturday and the place was jam packed. Otherwise I would have taken a few snapshots at the old metal tables with wire backed chairs and shown you the old wood and marble interior.

Me, my Sister, and my Brother's favorite ice cream flavor is their "Coffee Chip" (pictures above). It is HEAVEN on a spoon:) And would you believe it that the ice cream in the picture is 1 scoop!! Yes, they serve it right!

Pardon my blurry hands as my sister captures me eating my ice cream:)

When its Texas seaside heat your ice cream melts fast!

While the trip was shorter than most it didn't keep me from making memories, spending time with family, and enjoying all that I love aboutseaside travel traipsing.

Do you like the seaside?

What beach is near you?

What is your favorite thing to do at the beach?

Have you ever worn pieces that don't match? :)

//Summer Happenings// Inks Lake Camping

Friday, May 29, 2015

Can you tell it is summer and I am on no schedule at all (hence the post on Friday and not Thursday). However, there is a slight excuse for my falling off schedule this week due to the recent camping trip I took with my mom, sister, sisters dog Toby, and brother this past week (we just got home yesterday). And while I had already planned to do a project/outfit post of what I wore last Saturday to my friends graduations I decided to postpone that post till early next week (yay...an early post!) in exchange for a post more on the "natural" side of things and share one of our families summer traditions:)

Every summer our family goes camping at least two times and one of the two times is usually to the beach (next weekends plans). However, this past week we went to our most favorite summer camping place Inks Lake State Park! We were there from Monday-Thursday. Unfortunately, due to my dad being a teacher at a public school he was not able to join us and was greatly missed:( Nevertheless, our camping trip was filled with lots of laughs, glories of God's magnificent masterpiece, summer sunshine, chilly water, kayak trekking, fishing, reading, hiking, swimming/wading, picture taking, game playing, s'more making, and oh so much more!!

So here are the tales told in pictures and some words of our camping trip to Inks. Be ready to see the outdoors, natural, and totally casual version of me which consists of tshirts, sport shorts, tank tops, hiking sandals, no makeup, pale legs, and french braids:) hehe.....

The Infamous "Devils Water Hole" in which crazy people jump of the top bolder a height of 37.5 ft. into the water. I however have only ever jump off the ledge just below the bolder.

A View of the cove just before "Devils Water Hole"

The View from our hike up the mountain in which you get a perfect view of Inks Lake.

While I quite enjoy camping, exploring, hiking, kayaking and spending time in the great outdoors basking in Gods glorious masterpiece of creation, I am also a fan of camping for the perfect quiet times in the morning by the water relishing the messages and love of God. Oh, and all of the great reading spots and time for reading (I finished two books on our trip).

This time we were at Inks the masterpiece of nature was painted full of bright and bold colors, fragrant blossoms, and buzzing bees. There were so many different types of flowers everywhere I turned I don't think I even captures every one that I came upon, but aren't they simply breathtaking!!!

However, before I leave I must say that every camping trip is not only an adventure for we never know what lies around the bend, on the other side of the mountain, or at the end of the trail, but camping is a time full of much laughter for our family. Jokes are constantly made, blond moments are forever embedded in our file of memories, and new friends or might I add "new persona's" are met with. On that note I will embellish to say that not only was my brother on the trip with us but "Steve" the Australian Naturalist and Tour Guide also made an appearance most every day in various activities and kept us in stitches constantly:) LOL What would I do without a brother?