1st) Twice a month these folks show up at our house. Justin gives them pine straw and in exchange they mow our yard. It is like Rover’s dream come true. No, I take it back, his dream come true would be for me to open the door and let him out. It’s ALMOST his dream come true. They bring mowers, blowers, weed eaters, and edgers and Rover dreams of the day when he can join them. Much to his dismay, they’re not here long.
2nd) I found cute, conservative, and inexpensive swimwear that my sister has confirmed is NOT geriatric or frumpy. It’s Norma Kamali for Walmart. I’ve always loved her stuff at Walmart, it’s great quality and even better prices. Some of it is a little too “trendy” for me {like these cardigans with built in wings}, but I love this dress {jersey knit with spandex to keep it’s shape and it’s LONG for you taller ladies, I’d need 5 inches taken off the bottom}. Last summer my favorite purchase was a navy gingham check skirt that feels like it is made from pima cotton, you can see it in this picture, not a great picture but the skirt is fun! I haven’t seen her swimwear line in our store but I came across it online. Apparently a lot of other people saw it too because this one {below} which is my favorite is sold out in a few sizes, mine included, which who can blame them at $15!? Their site says they have it in “select stores” so I typed in every major city I could think of to see if it was in stock… no such luck!
It would not be something you would want to do any fast swimming in or diving in for fear that your left mammary might escape {completely diminishing it’s “conservative” appeal} but for leisurely pool/beach wear I think it’s perfect… I’ll keep watching ebay!
I ended up ordering this top and this skirt… with 97¢ shipping I feel like it was a good buy!
And now I can’t decide if I also want the one below on left {polka dot}, does it say “Mickey Mouse” or “Go Cardinals” to you? They’re only $15. I like the style of it but the colors are throwing me. I like the black and white striped one-piece the best and the black tank on the far right, but again, many styles are sold out in a several sizes. Next year I’ll start looking in March not May.
3rd) School’s out for the summer! We intend to play outside, play with friends, swim, and do a little traveling! I was so proud of Paige yesterday, she took off to me like a little fish! She swam {reservedly} last summer and has been hesitant so far but yesterday she did it! She’s swimming under water so now we have to teach her the most important part, how to come up for air, otherwise her swimming will do her no good!
Happy Friday!!!
jenn
May 21, 2010 at 7:01 amIsn’t it wonderful to have sisters who can point us in the right fashion direction!? 🙂
Katie
May 21, 2010 at 7:09 amYesterday evening, I went bathing suit shopping and totally thought of you and your sister when I was trying on a suit…and immediately told myself it was *geriatric* and I had to put it back. HAHAHAHA! (So this morning, I went ahead and ordered a bathing suit online from limericki.com…have you ever been there? There stuff is really cute, modest, and in my opinion, def. not geri-wear. I just ordered the Coco and the Brynn…love the Greta, Bailey, Ava, Sophia, and Charly.) Bless his heart, watching out the door….seeing all those fun toys out there that he isn’t getting to play with yet. 🙂 My Amelia just saw your warrior in the previous post with all the mud and is begging me now to go “play wis that yiddle boy.” Haha!
Jenna
May 21, 2010 at 7:10 amI love the one your ordered most! The black tankini on the right is my 2nd favorite :).
Emily@remodelingthislife
May 21, 2010 at 7:12 amCute suit you picked.
I want to buy those models a dozen cheeseburgers each.
Whitney
May 21, 2010 at 7:14 amEveryone makes fun of me for wearing a one piece/conservative swim wear! Now I can tell all those “haters” that you wear them. They’ll be singing a different tune after that!
Emily
May 21, 2010 at 7:15 amOh your little Rover would L.O.V.E. my house! My husband has a landscaping business so we have all the things he loves so much in abundance here! I have to say, I do not get as excited about the lawn mowers and weed wackers as he does but I do love the smell of freshly cut grass on a warm day! I love that retro looking suit all the way on the right – great catch! I will have to start swinging by my local Wal-Mart more often! Here in Boston they are no where near as great as the ones you have – ours are a little on the lower end – no groceries! Love that long dress too! I saw something on one of the morning shows yesterday too – probably the same line from Wal-Mart – it was a little black dress and it was only $15 or something – perfect for summer! Oh, finally, your gingham skirt is adorable! You throw the best outfits together!
Melissa
May 21, 2010 at 7:16 amWho knew Walmart had such cute swimsuits! I love the one you picked and also love the black one you mentioned. At $15 you can’t go wrong with any of them. Rover watching the lawn guys is precious.
Ashley
May 21, 2010 at 7:18 amHave you seem the Althleta suits? They are a little pricy, but I hear they stay in place for playing with little rovers in the sand! HA! They are a little more of ths sporty style, but they have really cute prints. I do not have one, but plan on getting one this year. Have a great weekend!;)
natalie @ this old southern house
May 21, 2010 at 7:24 amoh, darby, rover is precious. just precious!!
and that swimsuit with the teeny tiny skirt? LOVE IT!
erika (mommasis)
May 21, 2010 at 7:29 amd,
the one strap striped one piece, i LOVE it!!! i love you and rove’ too.
wanna come see me this weekend?
xo
ms
erika (mommasis)
May 21, 2010 at 7:32 amPS: the cardigan with wings is cute. THIS IS NOT: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Norma-Kamali-Women-s-Organic-Cotton-Eagle-Racerback-Tank/13344741
erika (mommasis)
May 21, 2010 at 7:33 amPPS: this: https://www.walmart.com/ip/NK-OTS-RACER-TANK/13730375 ????
erika (mommasis)
May 21, 2010 at 7:33 amPPS: Wait. How about a sunflower growing out of your tea pot: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Norma-Kamali-Women-s-Organic-Cotton-Sunflower-Racerback-Tank/13344717
Cath
May 21, 2010 at 7:54 amCan you just read JM’s mind, “I could so do that too if someone would just open this big-ole door”. Too funny.
On the swim note, we have had an inground pool since our youngest was a newborn. Best investment we ever made was a pair of training swim fins. They really teach a child the power in their legs. Just a few years back we bought a new pair for grandchild use. Best money ever.
For anyone interested, here is just one link. Be sure they are the full fin though and not the little play kind found at the general stores. Correct pair will be very long and little crunchers should be encouraged to don and remove at the water not try to walk on the pool deck.
https://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/9775.htm
Beth
May 21, 2010 at 7:57 amThat little Rover is so adorable. The only reason I wouldn’t cave into him is the danger. The pictures just melt my heart.
Shae
May 21, 2010 at 8:10 amThis is my first time posting here! I have been reading for awhile. Your blog is interesting to read and very encouraging to other Christians. Your little Rovers are adoreable! =)
I love the dress from Walmart-thanks for posting the link. I just bought the exact replica from a high end store and it did NOT have the $15 price tag! =( However, now that I know that Walmart carried something VERY similiar, I will be browsing and doing a little shopping today! =D
Lisa @ lists in my pocket
May 21, 2010 at 8:36 amCute finds, Darby! I love the one you ordered with that pop of yellow, and of the four you’re considering, I like the striped one and the black one on the far right. You should definitely order more for those prices!
Denise
May 21, 2010 at 9:11 amDarby, I so enjoy you blog! Rover is just absolutely precious! LOVE the gingham skirt!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!
Bridgette
May 21, 2010 at 9:12 amGood Morning Sunshine,
We must be on the same wavelength. I ordered that swimsuit (cross tankini, and ruffle bottom stripe) and it arrived last week. I must have placed the order before the masses. It’s super cute. I hope you enjoy yours too! They are all adorable.
Sweet pictures of Rover.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Laura
May 21, 2010 at 9:44 amI vote for the all black one strap bathing suit…so cute and cheap too! Have a great day!
Dianne
May 21, 2010 at 10:03 amDarby if I were there I would open the door for Rover for sure!!!! He is so precious watching and wishing. The one strap striped suit is my favorite. Wish I had Erika to direct my fashion woes. 🙂
Heather
May 21, 2010 at 10:22 amThat suit is amazing.
Kendra
May 21, 2010 at 10:27 amDarby…thanks for posting these bathing suits! Sometimes, cute bathing suits (that cover up your bid-ness) are hard to find! Just ordered one after your post.
Lauren
May 21, 2010 at 10:48 amLove the swimsuits. Thanks for sharing…sometimes you can find the best stuff at Wal-Mart. And how cute is Rover looking out the door wanting to go outside and help the yard people…precious!
Abby Maddox
May 21, 2010 at 10:53 am1) That picture of little Rover sitting in his red chair, and gazing longingly out the window is priceless.
2) I always check out wal-mart for clothes. I did today in fact. I certainly didn’t notice whats-her-faces swimsuits in mine. Although, I look disfigured in one-pieces (with my abnormally short torso and large a**) so I probably wouldn’t have purchased anyway. I will let you off on the geriatric problem with that tankini.
3) Why is that model so skinny?! I kept trying to figure out if she was a manequin because I didn’t know that level of thinness was achievable. I also thought that trend of skinniness was out of style…maybe not?! What am I talking about right now? I think all this P90X has me weight obsessed.
stephanie
May 21, 2010 at 11:04 amlove the first pic. So sweet
kristen
May 21, 2010 at 11:11 amoh the suits are cute! thanks for info..i have been having suit problems myself this year and have really thought about just resorting to a really cute cover up 🙂 if they have any sizes left i’ll give it a go!
Katharina
May 21, 2010 at 11:13 amI do not think I have ever seen a skirt to go swimming anywhere in Europe. (neither at Pools, Beaches, Shops) We must be way ahead with swim suit fashion! I like the striped one better than the Polka Dot one.
Wish I would have a pool or beach anywhere near!
Megan
May 21, 2010 at 11:24 amI seriously just ordered that dress moments before reading your blog, I am obsessed with that line. I have an actual Norma Kamali dress and a Walmart Norma Kamali dress and you CANNOT tell the difference! I am thinking about a swimsuit but I am not quite back to pre-baby shape yet! Love your blog!
jesslee
May 21, 2010 at 11:38 amJust a suggestion… but with your mad sewing skillz couldn’t you just get the XL and cut and resew it to your size??? Love those suits super cute!
Christy
May 21, 2010 at 12:40 pmThanks to you I spent way too much time on the WM website looking at her line of clothes, I had no idea! If I am at WM I am using kid in tow & have no time to look at clothes, I am on a mission. I think I am going to have to sneak in a trip at lunch. Such cute stuff! Thanks for the links!
PS. JM is such a doll (as are the girls & Sloaney!). 🙂
Lori
May 21, 2010 at 1:02 pmlove the skirt and the swimsuits. your girls red/white polka dresses – did you make those? I LOVE them 🙂 happy summer!
Kathy
May 21, 2010 at 1:26 pmI had a black shirtdress from Norma Komali circa 1982. I loved it. I cringe at how big the shoulder pads were. It seems she has stopped with that design. The swimsuit is adorable!
Mandy
May 21, 2010 at 1:39 pmPrecious pictures….I love the bathing suits…ordered one so we shall see…I have looked everywhere and they are hundreds of dollars to go soak in clorine and pick on the side while saving children’s lives:) So, I hope this works…thanks for finding and sharing…I would post a picture of me in it to show you but that may be more than you hoped for!!!!! Have a good, fun weekend! Mandy
Melise
May 21, 2010 at 1:42 pmWho are these models Walmart finds!? I am NOT that skinny, and my ‘mammary’ would definitely fall out if I wore these! I agree with March bathing suit shopping! And yes….Micky Mouse! ;0)
Melanie Gore
May 21, 2010 at 1:55 pmI like the solid black but the others say Mickey. Sorry:) Cute picture of Rover at the door.
kari
May 21, 2010 at 2:35 pmthank you – i have now just spent 83.87 by copying your swimsuit choice – and getting a convertible dress and 2 pair of linen pants!
hope it all fits!
happy weekend!
Jenn
May 21, 2010 at 2:45 pmI checked my zip code and they have everything from s – xl here in Franklin, TN. Let me know if you want one and we can make arrangements for me to mail you one!
dani
May 21, 2010 at 3:04 pmDarling! I am going to order right now! That tankini is adorable…I am going on a hunt for it.
kacey @ shes.no.martha
May 21, 2010 at 3:12 pmI never knew Wal-Mart had anything besides elastic waist polyester pants. You have enlightened me.
The mammary comment was priceless. And I am jealous of all you gals who could wear a top like that. My mammary would be exposed without even dipping a toe in the water.
Bec
May 21, 2010 at 3:28 pmI love that- swimming will do her no good. ha ha ha you’re so funny.
lisac
May 21, 2010 at 4:29 pmok, this is hilarious! i just fell in love with a lavendar striped version of this suit that i found at dillards! and now i wait for the sales! i can’t get over the little ruffle!!!
by the way, those shoes i found at some random place in milwaukee. they are by keep: http://www.keepcompany.com. i got them for only like $15! and, to please your truly geriatric soul, they are squishy and wonderful to wear.
LaPriel
May 21, 2010 at 11:42 pmHave you ever tried Land’s End swimwear? Try their clearance section.
Jennifer Morena
May 22, 2010 at 5:40 amThat little Rover is so sweet!
I ordered a WalMart Norma Kamali black jersey dress for $20 about a year and a half ago and have worn that thing a hundred times! It looks as new as the day I bought it and NEVER wrinkles. Love it!
Julia
May 22, 2010 at 11:40 amDarby,
I just love your site! I have been a reader for a while now:0). Thanks for all of the fashion tips…you and Erika have great style. Your little Rovers are the cutest ever:0).
Kasie
May 22, 2010 at 2:16 pmHello from Washington State! A comment is long overdue, as I’ve been following your blog for over one year. You are incredibly talented! Thank-you for sharing your projects and ideas. Truly a joy to read your blog and see your creativity at work. Your recipes, your photos, your style, your crafts are so inspiring to me.
Rochel
May 22, 2010 at 9:00 pmLove this site for bathing suits:
https://www.limericki.com/
Cat Moore
May 23, 2010 at 2:32 pmHave a already posted a comment on this post??? oh gosh, that is bad if I don’t even remember…. anyway, rover pictures = oh.my.goodness. kind of cute. second, your sister’s comments to this post are cracking me up more than anything! HA!
Andrea
May 23, 2010 at 8:28 pmMy husband owns a lawn and landscaping company as well so our little Rover has been obsessed with any type of loud machinery since pretty much the day he came home from the hospital. He’s almost 3 now and that picture of JM sitting by the door made me remember how easy it used to be! At about 14 mo he figured out how to open every door in the house! Without constant supervision…he’s gone and usually in the direction of the nearest lawn mower/power saw/blower/whatever else loud may be going on! So exhausting! I suggest GPS arm bands for that stage…j/k!
And I have to say those suits are pretty cute for the price! We live in our swimsuits as well, but I just cannot fork over $70+ for one at Macys! Crazy! I usually try to press my luck and find something at the end of the season even if I don’t need it! This year I’m really in limbo though, pregnant with my third, completly opposite seasons at my first two, and no maternity clothes. And anything I had that I wore after the kids birth….brastmilk stains! Awesome!
Anyway…I suggest seeing if your sister could swing by the Destin Walmart. I have found they have an incredible selection of swimsuits…you may just get lucky! ;P
Chelsea
May 24, 2010 at 9:35 amDarby…check out Target for great, non-geriatric one-piece suits and tankinis. I just bought this one:
https://www.target.com/Merona-Bandeau-Shirred-One-Piece/dp/B001JA2EP4/ref=br_1_1?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1&qid=1274711617&searchView=grid5&sr=1-1&node=15991211&searchRank=pmrank&searchPage=1&searchSize=30&id=Merona%20Bandeau%20Shirred%20One%20Piece&searchBinNameList=purchasing_channel%2Ctarget_com_category-bin%2Cstyle_name%2Ctarget_com_size-bin%2Ctarget_com_primary_color-bin%2Cprice
Not quite as cheap as $15 at $35…but still a good deal!
Gramercy Home
May 24, 2010 at 11:56 amSuch sweet pictures. Love the suits – so fun!
Lisa
May 24, 2010 at 12:43 pmI have been looking for a suit to replace the old lady one that I bought at Walmart when I was pregnant. I didn’t realize that they had such cute ones! At least they don’t seem to at mine. I’m not sure if the top would cover, but I have been looking at limericki, but the one I really wanted was sold out. Oh the luck!
sarah
May 24, 2010 at 12:54 pmI want to go to Walmart now and look for the black dress. Love the pictures of your kids and home. Looks like a beautiful place. Thanks for the post.
cassidy
May 26, 2010 at 8:48 pmThanks for the heads up that wally world has cute suits, I copied you and ordered the swim suit. I look forward to not looking like a geriatric at the neighborhood pool;)
Melody
June 7, 2010 at 10:33 amWhat size do you wear in that suit? Let me know, there is availability at my store.
Love your blog!!!
Melody Pengelly