H & M : Found $12.99 Dresses!

I visited H&M at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh this morning.  I love that store for its low prices but dislike having to try on everything.  This is one of those stores that the question "Appropriate???" rings in my ears.  I love the way the clothes look on the hangers but too short hemlines are an issue for a fifty year old.  I tried on seven different styles of dresses.  The prices ranged from $7.00 to $35.00.  Do I need another summer dress? No.  Do I crave cute, inexpensive, comfortable summer dresses? Yes.  It's a big bonus if they can also be work appropriate, a whole 'nother can of "appropriate" to think about.  After striking out with six of the seven, I thought it was a wasted trip.  The last one proved to be a winner.  Not too short, not too low cut at the neckline or armholes, loose but not baggy, very comfortable fabric that can go in the washer and dryer - a winner all around.  And the price was $12.99! With a cardigan or jeans jacket, it will be great for work too.  The colors offered were white, black, peach, tan, and burgandy.  I got one in tan and one in burgandy since I have sandals, scarves, and cardigans that will match both.  Yeah! Score!

Sad Belly Button = Time for a One Piece!

As one of my daughters stated, "You held out longer than most..." and I wasn't quite sure how to take her comment.  I had just told her that I was only going to wear one-piece bathing suits starting this summer.  In past years, I had always worn a bikini.  Even with daily exercise, I have accepted that with the passage of time and popping out three children, I have a sad belly button.  I am SO thankful that there are no tattoos in my stomach area!  Other than my dear husband, nobody wants to see my fifty-year old stomach in a bikini! 

The next challenge would be finding one-piece suits that were my style.  I am obsessed with not having strap marks so that is always a consideration.  I am as flat-chested as they come, also a big (!) issue when considering fit.  I enjoy shopping and looking at clothes; however, I don't like to spend much money on shopping or clothes.  My favorite stores are TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  I also like Target.com and Walmart.com for online clothes shopping.  I love consignment stores - but not for a bathing suit! ICK!

The hunt for bathing suits started back in the spring when I tried on bikinis from last year and the realization hit me.  Although I have not gained weight, things in the stomach area have drooped.  I got really lucky and found a cute purple one-piece at TJ Maxx for $19.99.  Good Start!  The Catalina suits at Walmart were cute and fit well - but I did not like the leopard print.  When I looked online, the same Catalina suit was there in WAY better colors of turquoise or red.  The price was steep for me at $32.00 but at least shipping was only $.97!  I got the red one.  When I tried to go back and order another one, they were sold out and still have not restocked.  When I checked Target.com, they had a similar style in their Merona brand for $34.00.  Steep for me - but worth it if the suit fit and was comfortable.  I ordered a fushcia one,  loved it, and ended up ordering two more in black and gold.  The Merona shirred suit is still available at Target.com.  The link is http://www.target.com/s?keywords=merona+shirred+swimsuit&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1 .

Do I miss the cute bikinis? Yep.  Do I feel more comfortable on the beach in my cute, slightly more conservative one-piece suits? Yep.  It was a good change.