Hailey Clauson photographed by Paola Kudacki for Vogue Spain, May 2012.

oh gosh, it’s coming. first spring, then we’re springing into summer. trying on bathing suits. ack. okay, let’s try and embrace it together, shall we? let’s imagine ourselves as sun goddesses, frolicking carefree in the salty sea. i’m not even gonna give a second thought to my thighs. got it? okay. let’s go shopping. this won’t hurt a bit. here’s a few swimsuits i thought might be quite flattering. one can hope.

salt water and seafolly lucia bikini halter from anthropologie.

orla kiely swim suit and rolling sea by koeb.

wild sea by ada hamza and anthropologie Lenny Niemeyer Ruched Halter Maillot.

lifeguard tower, miami and anthropologie’s seafolly boyleg mallot.

skater and popina retro boy leg bathing suit.

Lolli Mixed Floral Bikini from urban outfitters and ocean beach by leslie gold.

Hello friends. This is Alix from Modern Kiddo and I’m so thrilled to be popping in while the lovely Ms Victoria is on a much deserved vacation! As the last week of summer reaches its close, I’ve been thinking wistfully how I haven’t logged NEARLY enough pool hours. I don’t know about you, but I’m still craving ONE last day lounging with a fancy drink in hand. And when I think of the fabulous life in the sun, my mind always goes to Slim Aarons.

Are you familiar with photographer Slim Aarons? If you are, then you already know how he perfectly captured the jet setters of the 50s and 60s! If not, you’re in for a treat. His subjects ranged from Pucci-clad Italian princesses to WASPy American socialites. His photos have this amazing combination of day-in-the-life and other-worldliness. Of course his “day in the life” isn’t anything like my days, let me tell you! As Slim said himself, he photographed “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places.” His style is often imitated, but he was one of the first photographers who didn’t take stiff, formal portraits opting to photograph people in their natural habitat. Their very fabulous and glamorous natural habitat. Let’s pack our bags, and tag along for a day in the sun!

Two bikini-clad holidaymakers enjoy a glass of wine outside the Carlton Hotel, Cannes.” I like to think of myself as a holidaymaker.

All Photography: Slim Aarons.You can take a little slice of Slim’s sun-drenched days home with you in his books, Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time and Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun.

I leave you with one last image…because really this is exactly how I envision Victoria taking her breakfast this week—in bed, with her monocle and a slice of melon. FABULOUS!

Hi there! We’re SeeSaw – a design, letterpress & vintage studio in sunny Arizona – and we’re happy to be filling in for Victoria.

Summer has been in full swing here for at least a month. Temperatures above 100 degrees are hard to take, so we escape the heat by diving in or sitting poolside with a cool drink. Here’s what we’d like to wear and tote along:

1 – classic  Zara sunnies
2 – Zimmerman striped crop tee from Siréne
3 – Benecio tote from Monserat De Lucca
4 – linen Steven Alan paperbag shorts
5 – triangle notebook from Workshop & a striped ACME sing sing pen for sketching and note-taking
6 – a bright purple Melissa Odabash bandeau swimsuit
7 – Zara sandals (with a metallic toecap!)
8 – can’t forget the sunscreen; we recommend Blue Lizard for sensitive skin

– Angela, Lindsay & Raquel

Portland-based Popina Swimwear is inspired by the past and the great women who wore them. Born from a vacation to the Mexican Riviera, one of Popina’s first swim suit styles was created because designer Pamela Levenson could not find a fashionable swimsuit that fit and flattered. Pamela has always had a passion for styling of the past (40’s and 50’s in particular) and swimwear was no exception. I’ve known Pamela forever, and so it’s with great pride and excitement that I share her retro swimwear designs with you. And, as a little sfgirlbybay reader thank-you, Popina is offering readers an additional 10% discount, simply by entering the code ‘Pamster‘ (my affectionate nickname for her when we were roommates, many years ago) at check-out. Just in time for Summer!

I am constantly reminded of how small a world it is, because whenever I tell Portland friends about Popina, it seems they’ve already been there and know all about Pamela’s great fitting retro-inspired swimsuits! Reaching back to those fashionable and glamorous eras of the 40’s and 50’s, Pamela has created styles with the influence of days gone by, but with the modern comfort and convenience of today’s fabrics and bathing suit construction. From Tankini Swimsuits to Boy Short Swimwear, what’s really great about Popina Swimwear is that you can be as active you like, or just relax on the beach in style. You will find Popina Portland Swimwear somewhere between the Copacabana of the 40’s, and Ipanema today. I hope you’ll visit Popina if you’re in the Portland area, and say hey to Pamela for me, or just simply shop online with the 10% discount code above. Hey Pamster!!