Summer Essentials Series ~ No Day But Today

Happy Friday dolls!  I am currently nursing a two beer/allergy headache but the sun is shining and it's Friday so no complaints here!  Today, Courtney over at No Day But Today is sharing her summer essentials.  Court is a girlfriend from college (GO COUGS) and one of those people who just glows.  She is always smiling, as sweet as can be and a new mama to the gorgeous Charlotte.  Check out her summer needs below!

*What beauty product will be with you at all times this summer 2010?*

Bumble and bumble Surf Spray - 4.0 oz.: Coming from a girl whose least favorite activity in the world is blow drying her hair (it's thick and there is a lot of it!), the B&B Surf Spray is the perfect excuse, especially in the summertime, to not DO your hair. Just let your hair air dry a bit, spray on the surf and you are set for a summer day!

*What are you craving for summer 2010?*

Living in Seattle, currently I am just craving the sunshine! It seems to be making us wait a bit this year...but assuming it arrives soon, this summer I am craving this adorable swimsuit.  I love everything about it! And being that I just had a baby, I'm pretty happy that one piece swimsuits are still fashionable.

*What is your essential summer song for summer 2010?*

Train - Hey, Soul Sister (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Trains

I know it is getting a bit overplayed, but I still just am loving Train's "Hey, Soul Sister"...something about it just feels like summer fun to me, driving around with the sunroof down, singing your heart out!

Thanks Courtney for sharing your picks!  You are the second blogger to rave about the B&B Surf Spray.  I haven't used it in a while but it may be time to try it out again.  Be sure to stop over at No Day But Today and check out the adorable Charlotte. 

Forever Frugal Friday ~ Just Keep Swimming

Is it just me or are you also loving the popularity of stripes this spring?  It looks like this trend will continue into summer as well, and this Nautical Stripe II top and bottom just begs to be worn on a sailboat complete with a captains hat.  This suit is also available in red stripes with blue string accents and would also make a festive 4th of July suit without being as obvious as this.....

Desperately Seeking Sully ~ Bikini Time

Maybe it's the sun that has finally arrived in LA. Maybe it's the sparkling pool at my apartment calling my name. Maybe it's the fact that last year at this time I had been to Hawaii, Mexico and heading to Miami and I have no trips planned in my near future.

Whatever it is (it for sure isn't the gym that I have been MIA), I am just craving to throw on a bikini, drink a patron silver margarita (fresh lime juice and salted rim - yes please) and relax. However my bikini selection at home is quite pathetic and needs some fresh additions. Any of the below would suit me just fine.

I have always wanted a flashy bikini to wear somewhere like Vegas or Miami. This Sequin Bead Bikini should do the trick I think. Gorgeous color and fun without being OTT.

Another vital piece missing from my collection is an all black bikini. Timeless and classic, no beach goer should be without it. I love this little ruffles on this AE Glamour Ruffle Underwire Bikini.

Usually I can find about a million suits at JCrew that I fancy, however this year not so much. One that I am loving though is this sweet Water Garden Bikini. The colors are bright and sunny and distract from the fact that the suit is white based, which sometimes isn't the most flattering.

I love striped bikinis! I have one very similar to this one that needs to be retired soon, and I would love to replace it with this Tyler Rose Gallows Pole Bandeau. This suit is sporty yet chic.

She wore an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow pink polka dot bikini. I love this one! This one is playful and cute and I love that the strap is detachable so that you don't get a funky tan line.

I am 99% sure this suit is going to be mine. I have a thing for bandeau tops and I love the slit in the front. The color would look lovely with a tan (in my case a spray tan), and just sort of relaxes me looking at it. Just what I'm going for.

Sorry for the lack of posts this week. I have been fighting a cold since last Friday that has left me without a voice, a loud hacking cough and lots of yucky phlegm. However, after some delish homemade chicken noodle soup last night, prepared by a very nice fella, I think I am finally on the mend, just in time for the weekend!

Bad lighting, taken with my Blackberry, but the soup was sure tasty!

Summer Essentail Series ~ Zucchero, Zucchero

The time has come for YBB's Summer Essential Series to come to end, but not without sharing Holly over at Zucchero, Zucchero's summer needs. I found Holly's blog via Sweet Nothings and just adore all of her home renovations. She inspired me to pick up a summer project of repainting and stylizing some nightstands for my bedroom. Holly just celebrated her birthday and provides loads of family photos, weekend adventures and pretty little things. Be sure to become a follower of this fun filled blog. If her picks don't embody summer, I'm not sure what does....

*What one item can you not be without in the summer?

Every summer I can not be without my American Apparel nylon tricut bikini bottoms. They come in an assortment of shades but get them in black and they will go with anything! They are great for actually swimming, playing on the sand and just laying out. I get my fashion fix by switching around with the top.

*What are you craving for summer 2009?

This summer I am craving produce straight outta my backyard dirt! So far just watermelons and tomatoes are planted, seeing if they will take. There is something so satisfying about seeing how much they grow each day. I hope I can sprinkle my summer meals with them soon.

*What is your essential summer song for 2009?

"Essential summer songs" and The Beach Boys go hand in hand. This summer my choice has got to be "Don't Worry Baby". Their harmonizing about carefree days puts me in such a relaxed beachy mood that I've been known to listen to this on repeat.

Thanks Holly for participating! I am also totally craving watermelon and wish that I had my room for my own garden. Alas the farmers market will have to do. And hand in hand indeed for The Beach Boys and summer.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to this little series, it wouldn't have been anything without you! Thank you also to all the readers who came back and read all the must haves and commented. I have built quite the nice summer playlist and found some new items that I need to pick up immediately before fall rolls in.

I'm gonna soak up some sun......

Summer Essential Series ~ Sweet Nothings

I am excited to close out this week with Sara & Danielle from Sweet Nothings. I found their rocking blog a few months back and haven't looked back. These two best friends are separated by hundreds of miles (something I am going to need to get use to soon) but both contribute regularly to the blog. I check it daily for fashion tips, flea market finds, home improvements and just to get a smile on my face. I feel like I have known these girls for years! If you haven't already, be sure to follow these ladies adventures in California. Without further ado, check out their summer essentials below...

*What one item can you not be without in the summer?

The item we cannot live without this summer is a big tote that we hold everything we could possibly need in! Items we must have are: Sunscreen, the two books we are currently reading, sunnies (the bigger the better), and a notebook to jot down anything and everything.

*What are you craving for summer 2009?

The two items we are CRAVING for summer are a straw fedora and retro swimsuit both from Anthropologie.

*What is your essential summer song for 2009?

Our essential song of the summer is Keri Hilson f/ Neyo, "Knock You Down".

Thank you Danielle and Sara for sharing your awesome essentials. I have been regularly blasting "Knock You Down" for the last week and am sure it will continue on throughout the summer. I also need to invest in a kick ass fedora, and am loving that retro swimsuit as well (no surprise it's from Anthro!). That's it for this week, be sure to come back next Monday for Mariana's must haves.

Forever Frugal Friday

In my attempt to pack efficiently for my trip to Mexico next week (must carry on as connecting flight is too close for comfort), I sorted through my swimsuits and noticed that I do not own a simple, black bikini. Well lucky for me, Forever is carrying swimsuits now, and this Ruffle Trim Bikini is exactly what I am looking for, at exactly the right price.

Now I just need to find the amazing flat abs to go with it...any ideas ;)

Swimsuit Time....

With Summer just around the corner (especially in LA) I had the urge to start browsing some suits. I think this Check Knot Bandeau and matching Check Side-Knot Hipster bikini from Delia*s is so fun and preppy. It reminds me of something I might find at JCrew but at half the cost. Sizing could be tricky though.....Worth a try for sure.