BATHING SUITS - RETRO INSPIRATION

BATHING SUITS THEN AND NOW

 Planning to buy a bathing suit this year?  
I've found you some retro inspiration.  First the original inspiration, followed by contemporary suits with a retro vibe.  Happy shopping!


                                                               ORIGINAL:  MARILYN IN SIMPLE BLACK

                                                   CONTEMPORARY:  WOULD LOOK GREAT ON ANY BODY.

                                                           ORIGINAL:  BRIGITTE IN A FLORAL ITTY BITTY

                                                                CONTEMPORARY: NOT SO ITTY BITTY

                                                               ORIGINAL:  ELIZABETH LOOKING GORGEOUS

                                                                CONTEMPORARY:  OH MY GOSH THAT'S CUTE!

                                                            ORIGINAL:  MARILYN

                                                     CONTEMPORARY:  A MORE MODEST OPTION

                                                                   ORIGINAL:  AUDREY IN FUN STRIPES.

                                                                            CONTEMPORARY

                                             ORIGINAL: ELIZABETH TAYLOR LOOKING REGAL....

                                                       AND MARILYN LOOKING CURVY IN WHITE

                                                            CONTEMPORARY

                                                  ORIGINAL:  E.T. IN....OMG IS THAT LEOPARD?

                                                                      CONTEMPORARY 

                                                   ORIGINAL:  GRACE KELLY IS NEVER WRONG

                                                                     CONTEMPORARY

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY.
YANCEY

VACATION DESTINATION - FANCY BOUTIQUE HOTEL

HOTEL AMERICANO - NEW YORK CITY

 Years ago, B. and I stayed in a fancy/schmancy Bed and Breakfast for our anniversary.  The absolutely enormous victorian house had previously been a private residence and was located in a leafy neighborhood in a small town in Virginia.  Nice.  Except when it wasn't.
The owner/hostess, although a lovely woman, would not stop talking, not for a minute. When she invited us to join her in the "parlor for a glass of sherry", we thought it would be rude not to.  An hour (or was it two?) later, we were still listening to her story of how she got into the B&B business, and all we wanted to do was go upstairs and engage in some anniversary shenanigans.
Obviously, none of this would have happened if we had booked a weekend at the Marriott...which is why I love love love hotels!  Room service!  Maid service!  Anonymity!  Yes, please.


The following pictures (from their website) are of the Hotel American, a hip boutique hotel in the Chelsea neighborhood of NYC, surrounded by a gazillion art galleries and restaurants. Perfect for a sexy, private getaway.  Must go! 

 Designed by architect Enrique Norten, who is the first recipient of the Mies van der Rohe Award for Latin American Architecture.

 You know it's hip when the hotel bathrobes are denim!

A bento box snack is just a phone call (to room service) away.

Check out the view behind the bar.

I think we could fit in here.

 The web site shows birds eye drawing of each of the three room layouts.  How cool is that?

Have you ever stayed in a fancy boutique hotel?  A bed and breakfast?  Which do you prefer?
Have a beautiful day.
yancey

VACATION FASHION - THE CAFTAN

WOULD YOU WEAR A CAFTAN?

 I generally don't go in for long flowy dresses, preferring structure and a belted waist especially.  However, I'm thinking how wonderfully freeing, not to mention feminine and sexy as hell, the caftan is.  
Of course every one needs something easy to throw over a wet bathing suit for the walk back to the hotel room, but what about ....pre-dinner drinks on the patio?...lounging by the pool?...reading in bed in the afternoon?...something sexy for after a shower?... over sunburned skin?  The caftan...problem solved!
I think I've found the ultimate vacation fashion.  What do you think?

Do you wear caftans?  What do you throw on over a bathing suit?  Does your caftan need to match your suit?
Have a beautiful day.
yancey

VACATION IDEA: THE HIDEAWAY IN PALM SPRINGS

VACATION IDEA FOR A SIGNIFICANT ANNIVERSARY

 Our next wedding anniversary will be a rather big number...big enough that in spite of all the changes and uncertainty around here, we really want to celebrate with a nice romantic getaway.  I don't especially want to fly very far, no international flights thank you very much, and I wouldn't mind staying within driving distance...or...how about a train!  Thank would be really romantic! 
I would love to go someplace warm and sunny (our actual anniversary is in Jan....we were between semesters), sexy, with great food and nothing much to do.  Any ideas?

I would love to spend a few days wearing nothing much more than this.

I'm definitely a one piece bathing suit kind of girl.  Love the retro vibe of this.

I would need a few of these for the walk from the pool.

Would love to indulge in a few of these, which is why the large caftan is so important!

 So, I was nosing around the net and found this hotel....The Hideaway in Palm Springs!  We've been to California, but never experienced the mid century time capsule that is PS.  It's high time!
The following pics are from the website Orbitin.  

The provide cruiser bikes for the guests!  I wonder if they would provide a picnic too!

The hotel is decorated with furniture from the Eames, Jacobsen, Bertoia, McCobb and others.

 Have you been there?  Would you recommend it?  Please feel free to email me, if you don't want to leave a comment here.

Please join us this week when talk vacations!  Where to go...what to wear...how best to get there...what to eat...all of it.
Are you planning a vacation for this summer?  Let's talk!
Have a beautiful day.
yancey