Swimsuits, Body Confidence and a Linkup.

As I mentioned earlier this month, I was at the beach on vacation the first week of July. We went to Lake Michigan by St. Joseph Michigan which we also visited last Summer and loved it so we decided to go back this year. Well, today I am co-hosting the"Start the Week Off Stylish" Linkup with Michelle and Ana Luiza who have been running their successful and fun-themed Mondays linkup since a year ago. New to the blog, for the first time ever I am doing a Swimsuit-centered Post too, since this week's theme with the lovely ladies of " Start the Week Off Stylish" is swimsuits. And of course Vivian is joining me in this week's theme too with her Adorable One-Piece. For another swimsuit post, stop by this Friday and on Thursday I will show you one of my favorite outfits that I wore while on vacation, also. 

I thought twice about deciding to actually post about swimsuits and have my OOTD be a swimsuit today, but when Michelle e-mailed me a bunch of themes a while back, I picked swimwear to challenge myself. See, my body is not in the best shape ever. I can afford to loose 10-15 pounds. I do have a little baby fat and love handles, but see even when I have been 110 lbs. I have always had curves. The thing is body confidence doesn't come easily and neither does a great body. You have to work hard for it from exercising to eating and drinking the right things. The truth is this is my body. I held a child here for 39 weeks, gave birth to a child naturally and this body also nursed that child for over a year. And all of these are beautiful and natural things for a woman. That child gave me the title 'mom' which I wouldn't exchange with any other title in the world. I am proud of my 137-lbs. size 4 body, as imperfect as it is. I am still a size Small in most clothes and both my husband and my daughter tell me I am pretty or beautiful, on a daily basis. So, I will take my body as it is, not toned but not overweight either. This is my body, this is me and I own it. 

So here I am showing it all to you in a beach bikini nevertheless. And my swimsuit is one of the 4 new ones I purchased this Summer and possibly my favorite one of all. It is in a bright Purple Magenta Color but the triangle-style bra may look typical in the front but it has a fun back for sure with the macrame strappy detail like a bralette. The undies are kind of cheeky with ruching detail on the back and 3 thin macrame straps off each side. And I am one of those people that accessorizes with Summer Jewelry (think bright colors and plastic pieces) even at the beach and usually with a hat and always, always a pair of sunglasses. On last Friday's post some of you may have seen this Pink Hat with the Ivory Bow on the back on Vivian's head with her Pretty Neon Colorblocked Dress - it is after all one of Vivi's 2 favorite hats I own. Well I brought this hat and two others to the beach with me while on vacation and I loved how this one looked with this particular bathing suit. And speaking of Vivian, earlier this Summer I ordered 3 adorable swimsuits for her. This Turquoise one with the Colorful Polka Dot Flower in the middle is adorable. I love the Polka Dot Pink Bow on the back and the matching little ruffles around the arm-sleeve holes. And this is how my daughter and I do swimwear. Do you have any tips for Body Confidence and how to keep the body in shape during bikini season?

 Follow your hosts:

Michelle from Michelle's Pa(i)ge on Instagram  

Ana Luiza from Northwest Blonde on Instagram 

CO HOST: Ada from Elegance & Mommyhood on Instagram

Magenta/Purple 2 Piece Triangle Top Macrame Swimsuit: Xhilaration via Target (New) (very similar, love this), (similar, Steal), (similar, Fantastic Deal), (gorgeous scalloped option, Great Deal, my Favorite).

Blue Gauze Off-Shoulder Embroidered Dress w/ Tasseled Sleeves: Xhilaration via Target (New) (similar, Great Deal), (similar in black, love this), (similar), (similar, Splurge, my Favorite).

Baby Pink Straw Sun Hat w/ Large Cream Bow: A Boutique in Albania (similar, Steal, love this), (similar, Fantastic Deal), (similar, Great Deal), (similar, Splurge, my Favorite).

 Mirrored Wayfarer Sunglasses: Rayban Mens (borrowed from my Brother) (similar, Steal), (similar, Great Deal, my Favorite), (similar, Splurge).

White, Light Plastic Long Dangly Earrings w/ Ovals+Circles: Meijer's (similar, Steal, my Favorite), (similar, Great Deal), (similar dressy option, Splurge, love these).

Ivory/Cream Thin Elastic Bangle (part of a big bundle set): Forever 21 (similar, Steal), (similar, Splurge).

2 Red + 1 Navy Shimmer Thin Jelly Bracelets (part of a bundle): Forever 21.

Multi-Stranded Turquoise Necklace w/ tiny Beads (worn as a Bracelet): Express.

Silver Tone Ring w/ Large Marble Aqua/Mint Stone: A Boutique in Albania (similar, Huge Steal), (similar, Splurge, love this).

Vivian's Outfit:

Bright Blue/Turquoise Ruffled Swimsuit w/ Polka Dot Flower in the front & Bow in the back: Target.com (New)

Hot Pink w/ Cupcakes Grossgrain Ribbon Bow Barrette: Wal Mart (New).

P.S. I am linking up with Ann, Anne with Jenn, Amanda, Angie, Betsy + Katey, Biana, Carly, Carrie, Carrie with Whitney, Caryl, Chanda, Cheryl with Kristin+Megan with Nicole, Claire, Debonita, Erin, Good Random Fun, Grace, Lauren, Leelo, Molly, Patti, Rachel, Rachelle, Regina, Sandy with Kileen, The Blended Blog, Whitney and Zaz.

Also linking with the ladies of "Tuesday Talk": Becky, Beth, Laura, Michelle, Stasia, Stephanie and Whitney.

And, I am linking with Ana Luiza and Michelle for Stylish Monday.

[on Wednesday]: Allison, Brenna with Grace + Jenna, Brooke with Erica, Claire, Grace, 

 Katherine, Leeanne, Lindsey, Liz, Madeline, Monica, Rebecca, Sarah, Tania, Vicki and Victoria.

Every week, the hosts choose two favorites. Last week's theme was "Summer Stripes" and the favorite outfits linked were from The Style Safari and Savy Southern Chic.

An InLinkz Link-up