I’ve pretty much always hated wearing a swimsuit. Which is to say that I’ve always hated how I look in a swimsuit.

I’ve been the girl wearing a t-shirt in the pool. I’ve been the girl at the pool party that “forgot” her swimsuit. I’ve been the girl in a coverup on the beach (and not because of an itsy bitsy teeny weenie yellow polka dot bikini).

Shopping for a swimsuit? Almost unbearable. I’m perpetually looking for a swimsuit that meets my strict criteria (and I never ever try swimsuits on in store – those lights and mirrors can reduce damn near anyone to tears):

• Thick straps – but no halter tops. I’d like to be able to stand up straight.
• Molded cups – but no underwire. Uniboob is not pretty on anyone.
• Tankinis preferred – but they must to be tunic length. Ruching is good.
• Qualify fabric – to suck me in and push me up. While still allowing me to breath.
• Patterns and color are a must – no old lady/fat girl boring-ness.
• That certain something that makes me feel comfortable and confident and not running for a coverup.

It wasn’t until I discovered Lands’ End that I found a swimsuit that met all of my criteria. Every spring, I snatch up as many of their tunic tankinis as I can because I know they sell out quick (proving that most women aren’t twigs – though those women probably have swimsuit struggles of their own) and I know I won’t feel like myself in anything else.

So, I applaud Lands’ End and SELF Magazine for celebrating women of all shapes and sizes during National Swimsuit Confidence Week. Thank you. And please don’t ever stop making this tankini.

So confident I took pictures by the pool. While my neighbors watched like I'd lost my mind.

If Twitter parties are your thing, look for the #confidence hashtag every day this week from 12-1 pm CDST for a chance to win Lands’ End gift cards and show your swimsuit confidence.

The lovely people at Lands’ End asked me to participate in National Swimsuit Confidence Week. I’m wearing one of the many Lands’ End swimsuits that I purchased.

I don’t know how you all feel about Instagram recaps (and everybody seems to be doing them lately), but I love them. It’s a nice way to slow down and remember the week that was.

On Instagram? Leave your username so I can follow! (I’m CorrinRenee. But you probably could have guessed that.)

Forget the rides. The best part of SeaWorld is dropping $6 on trays of slimy dead fish to feed the animals.

Ollie was up to his usual shenanigans last week. And by shenannigans I mean snoozin’ and treats.

While it all looks tasty, the most important element of this photo is the oyster panino (bottom left) for Enoteca. It may be last-meal-worthy.

The shopping sabbatical is going…well, it’s going. I’m trying to find new things to wear in my closet but I just keep going back to the same old outfits and getting depressed by how much of the clothing in my closet doesn’t fit. Good thing I’m now training for a 5k.

Packing for vacation is so hard. (First world problems, right?) I do really well fitting everything into a carry-on until the very last minute when I panic that I didn’t pack enough shirts/shoes/pajamas and suddenly I can’t zip my luggage. Delightfully Tacky has a great post with 10 tips for traveling well, which includes how she travels carry-on-only-style. I need to keep rereading that post from now until takeoff.

With four days until I leave for Mexico, everything still fits in a carry-on with room to spare.

Sidebar: I’m still going to have to check a bag in order to take sunblock because I refuse to pay $20 a bottle at the resort. I appreciate the need for national security, but don’t find my brand new, sealed, bottle of Coppertone to be a threat. Especially considering these TSA statistics.

All this is to say, here’s my preliminary vacation packing. (Old Navy is clearly my go-to for vacation clothes). Am I forgetting anything? Will I regret these choices? What item of clothing do you always take on vacation?

Clockwise from top and spiral around
Old Navy Mixed Print Tank $19.94
Old Navy Cropped Linen Pants $24.94
JCrew Market Tote $45 (my mom picked this up at the outlet for a steal)
Old Navy Cuffed Denim Bermudas $24.94 (I buy these every year in every color)
Old Navy Smocked Crochet Tee $22.94 (bought this last year in several colors so I was happy to see they brought it back in new colors)
Old Navy Linen Shirtdress $25 (grabbed this in-store on clearance for $8.99)
JCrew Chambray Tunic $59.50 (similar to one I bought a few years ago)
Old Navy Drawstring Hem Tank $24.94
Mossimo Fedora $12.99 (which my mom is sure to make fun of)
Lands’ End Beach Living Halter Tunic $55 (already had matching bottoms)
Old Navy Tunic Coverup $39.94 (I ordered the plus size for length)
JCrew Enamel Elephant Sold Out
Sperry Top-Siders $90 (bought last summer)
Banana Republic McKenna Leather Thong $44.50
Warby Parker Mabel Sunglasses $95 (gifted to me though a Klout Perk during SXSW)

One of the things I miss most about being married (go ahead and get ready to pass judgement) is wearing my wedding rings. Big fat sparkly diamonds FTW!

I’ve never really equated my rings with my husband. With being married? Yes. Specifically with him? No. Maybe because I picked out the rings (and wrote the check to pay for them every month). Anyway, I miss wearing them and given that resale values are pathetic, it seems like such a waste for them to be sitting in a safety deposit box*. That’s why I’ve been casually browsing rings to get ideas on how I can re-purpose mine.

I figured women did this all the time, but after reading some recent articles about divorce rings I didn’t realize it was such a hot (and polarizing) topic. I don’t feel like it’s celebrating the failure of my marriage or would jeopardize future relationships (My mom suggested using the main diamond in a new setting if I ever remarry, but even I draw the line at reusing diamonds for vows. Plus, I’m going to need something bigger and better.), I just want to be able to wear something beautiful that I paid a lot of money for.

What do you think about divorce rings? If you’re divorced, did you do anything with your rings? And because I can’t resist searching Pinterest for jewelry, what do you think about these rings that I’ve pinned for inspiration?

My rings. Miss you. Love you. xoxo.

Source
The “divorce ring” that started it all. I actually really like it and I don’t think anyone would know it’s a “divorce ring” unless you went around shouting “OMG MY DIVORCE RING. SEE – A DAGGER IN THE HEART.” Obnoxious.

Source
I could squirrel away the solitaire and use the smaller stones for a new multi-band ring.

Source
I could go super funky.

Source
Or I could have some of the stones set at random in a wide hammered band. This is my favorite idea so far because it doesn’t look bridal and the designer comes highly recommended from a friend.

* Dear potential burglars. Please note that I said these rings are in a safety deposit box and not my apartment. Also note that the resale value of jewelry is hooey. Trust me.

I love that the new Instagram for Android app has doubled the amount of pretty pictures I get to look at all day on Instagram. If you’re an Instagram user, find me (I’m CorrinRenee, like, everywhere). If you’re not an Instagram user, you can see all my pics (and everyone else’s) at Followgram.

Here are the snaps that sum up my week.

Despite the two bottles of wine on my desk at work, I don’t like wine all that much (I always expect it to taste like yummy grape juice and it never lives up to my expectations). The only exception is Muscat Canelli from Sister Creek Vineyards right here in Central Texas! I discovered it at a wine tasting while poking around Dripping Springs and it’s been my one and only ever since. Bonus for being only $10 a bottle.

And speaking of Texas, I spotted these little gems around Austin this week. I want to live in that teeny little house (which someone on Twitter who lives in the ‘hood tells me isn’t so teeny) with my dog, the internet, and UPS delivery. I’d have everything I could ever need.

I’ve worn the same heart necklace (a gift from my parents when I finished grad school) for years, but I’m loving changing it up lately.

PS You get a lot of new Instagram and Twitter followers when you show a little cleavage. I didn’t think it was anything to get all worked up about, but apparently it’s quite salacious.

I got called out on Facebook this week for being one of those crazy pet picture posting people that I would judge if I weren’t one of them. There’s no denying it.