Sand

Bring On The Cute Swimsuits!

Amber Fijolek on Apr 28, 2009 8:11 AM PDT

Everyone has their favorite childhood summer memories. While passing by little ones dodging waves and burying siblings in sand at the beach, it's hard not to wish you were a kid again. Sometimes, even, those youthful styles of bows and polka dots are what we really wish we could squeeze back into! Luckily, you can still find a suit for your rockin' grown-up bod that's carried over some of your favorite feminine features. Sure, wearing a one-piece, boat-necked, thick-strapped tutu is probably only something that can pass while you're too young to notice how ridiculous you look, so these more mature styles won't sink you deep into a pool of fashion faux pas. These fun, flirty, and oh-so-cute styles will give you a girl-next-door edge without losing that sexy, beach chic!

Tags : swimwear , swimsuit , swimming , swim suit , sand

Fanciful Footwear For Barefoot Beach Brides

Amber Fijolek on Feb 18, 2009 5:22 AM PST

Ah, beach weddings: the sunset, the sea breeze.. and, ugh, the sand. Whatever will you wear on your feet to capture the look of elegance without getting that pesky beach caught up in your heels? To be the ultimate beach bride, consider this alternative to those expensive white satin designer pumps: barefoot sandals. They're bottomless, so they let you enjoy the soft, pillowy waterfront, but their enchanting charms adorn your feet in a special way that Cinderella's slippers never could. Barefoot sandals are often also referred to as slave anklets, but there's a special market for brides to be that are planning to say "I do" in the sand dunes. While some are simple, tailoring your toes in pretty beads, others sparkle to an extravagant extreme -- all priced well below the standard full-foot-covering shoes! For all you beautiful beach brides, take a look at the slideshow for some fun and fancy footwear to make your feet as beautiful a sight as your ceremony's locale!

Tags : soleless , slipper , slave , shoeless , sand

Vacay Style: Hit the Beach One More Time Before Fall Gets Here!

meg donohue on Aug 23, 2008 12:20 PM PDT

I don't know about you, but I'm not ready for summer to end. And, frankly, with September being the best beach month of the year, I see no reason to start feeling like Fall's just around the corner. (Fall, I'll welcome you with open arms when it's time to start my 30-Days-Till-Thanksgiving-Mashed-Potatoes Countdown - until then, back off.) So in the spirit of late Summer vacations and wringing every moment of sun and warmth out of my favorite season, I scoured the Web for the best beaches in the US. Turns out, some well-traveled folks have very strong opinions on the subject! Travel and Leisure, for example, loves Cape Cod, Massachusetts for its prime swimming and considers Pfeffer State Beach in Big Sur, California an excellent nature escape. The folks over at Daily Candy love Cape May, New Jersey and Santa Cruz, California for their old school beach town vibe. And Gorp says you'll see the best sunset at Polihale, Hawaii. My latest obsession? Taking the perilous, cliff-side road from San Francisco to gorgeous Stinson Beach...a 3.5-mile dog-friendly stretch of khaki sand with quintessential California coastline views. Summer's not over yet, baby!

Tags : water , vacation , travel , sun , sand

Editor's Pick: Insight Has Your Beach Bum Covered!

Lisanne Silverman on Apr 10, 2008 4:16 PM PDT

So you spend a good few months working on that beach bod, finally find an awesome swimsuit to show off all of that hard work, and then what... throw on that ratty old cover-up that's been sitting in your closet for so many years that you can trace its beginnings to a time when Roxy made boardshorts and nothing else? Not if the designers over at Insight have anything to say about it! We first caught sight of the 80's-inspired Australian label when select pieces (most notably the panda bum bikini and shorts) popped up at Urban Outfitters and promptly sold out. The super affordable tops, dresses, and shorts all have that "Where did you find that?!" quality that we secretly aim for every time we get dressed. Click SEE THE SLIDESHOW for lots of beach and boardwalk-ready looks from Insight!

Tags : swimwear , surf , sand , pool

Beach Chic Tips: Give Your Home an Easy, Salty Air Vibe

meg donohue on Mar 27, 2008 6:16 AM PDT

Is there anything more effortlessly stylish than a room with a beachy, organic vibe? Designers often go the shabby chic route when interpreting this look, filling rooms with whitewashed furniture and overly feminine prints, but if you ask me, those rooms smell of mothballs when they should smell of crisp, salt air. Kick the wicker furniture to the curb and put a contemporary twist on coastal style with hip colors, bold prints, and clean lines. Fab ideas for achieving 21st century beach chic in any room? Mix textured furniture with white linens. I love the idea of pairing this sea grass bed with a white duvet cover. Look for rugs with big, bold patterns in unexpected colors (like orange!) that give your house the vibe of a sleek Miami boutique hotel. Accessorize with clear vases filled with shells and sea glass!

Tags : ocean , pottery barn , sand , sea