7 Amazingly Stupid Bathing Suits for 2013

Between a few spa days at La Costa and a beautiful 4-day weekend with temps in the 80's, I've actually found myself in a bathing suit a few times over the past month. Since my go-to, number one black Juicy Couture bathing suit that I've lived in for the past 3 years has finally given up on me, I've found myself cruising the internet for my next great suit.

Being that I was raised in Southern California, and that from ages 5 to 18 I was a competitive swimmer, I like to think I know a few things about what makes a good and flattering suit. Over the years I have learned that (against all logic) February and March are the best times to buy swim wear -  the main reason being availability. If you wait until July, all the good suits are gone and you are left with slim pickings. 

But as I'm wandering the net looking for a suit that will accentuate my legs while hiding my tummy, be good for the beach and pool, and cute and attractive while not being a total "mom suit" I came across a few suits that blew my mind with ugliness. 

7 Amazingly Stupid Bathing Suits for 2013 by hipmamab featuring mara hoffman

At first glance, I would say these designers have never been near a beach or pool in their life. But more than that, some of these suits are unattractive on the MODELS. And if a 6 ft tall 110 lb waif can't rock it, who can?! From unflattering cut outs to fake grass skirts to the Empire State Building erupting out of your coochie, I cannot believe that these suits got made. Puffy sleeves on a one piece? DAISY DUKES? A romper? These suits made me laugh while simultaneously question the sanity of the designers, and the buyers of the stores selling these $100+ creations. 

HipMamaB Lusting: Shoes I Need RIGHT Now.

shoes I need - Jan 2013 by hipmamab featuring high heel wedges

It's a typical January in San Diego. Last week we were freezing, but today we could hit the beach. All of a sudden my boots seem heavy. My calves are sweating and the tops of my feet beg to see the sun. While I KNOW that next week will be cold(er) and raining again, this week Spring is in the air and I'm dying for a little color on my stems. 

2013: Hopes, Dreams and Goals for the New Year

Looking Back:

2012 was interesting. Not the best of years, not the worst of years. I had great months, I had horrible months. 2012 was just there. 

Looking Forward:

Marking the start of a new year is always a good time to set ideas, goals and thoughts down. As we all know, resolutions are made to be broken - so why bother? Of course I want to lose weight and be healthy and make more money... but I want so much more out of these next 12 months. And while yes I would love to accomplish these things from inside a pair of size 6 skinny jeans, I also don't want to deem the year a failure if come next December I'm the same size. 

I've been trying to organize my thoughts on things I would like for 2013... some are materialistic, some are emotional, some are physical

HOPES:

I hope that by 2013 I've regained my confidence. Somewhere along the last few years I've lost the ability to be happy and proud of myself - I want to get that back. Not just the ability to say "I rock." But the ability to feel it. To look in the mirror without criticism and smile without worrying that there is something in my teeth. 

DREAMS:

I want to go to Italy and Malta. I put this under "dreams" because we have yet to take a BIG international trip with the kids and we've been saying this for YEARS now. But our good friends are over there and we want to see them and I think that by 6 and 9 the kids may be more ready for traveling to, an appreciating, Europe. 

GOALS:

These are the basics. Things I WILL achieve for my sanity:

• Re-do our home office to make it a comfortable, creative space for both Jason and I to work in tandem or alone.
• Organize my "craft closet." Seems simple, but this one is daunting to me... 
• Get more spa treatments (because I deserve it).
• Lose 20 lbs.
• Become Rich and Famous so I can hire someone else to do this all while I travel to Malta on a private jet. HAHA. 

What about you? What do you want to achieve in 2013?