It’s that time of the year when it starts to warm up in Texas and all I want to do is be OUTSIDE. While I love to bike with the kids, garden and sit outside on our patio my favorite part of warm weather is SWIMMING! I lived in California until I was 12 going almost weekly to Capitola Beach to lay in the sunshine and body surf the waves. I swear the California girl is still in me and I fall asleep to wave sounds every night.
So needless to say last year when we were on shut down all I could think about was, I wish we had a pool! Luckily we were able to grab a pop up pool early in March and used it daily through quarantine but it pretty much only fit the kids. This year I looked at my husband and said, “That’s it, we are building a pool!” He agreed, we got started on plans in mid January and today they come to dig!!
This is all to explain that I’m in total stock up mode to fully enjoy our new outdoor space this summer and that includes all the NEW ARRIVALS from Cabana Life. If you are new to the Cabana Life brand they are a female run business that began because founder Melissa had a malignant melanoma diagnosis at 26. Melissa and co-founder Alyssa learned that most clothing does not protect you from the sun and set out to build a business that would use highest rated UPF & most luxurious fabrics to make clothing and swimwear for the entire family.
Cabana Life has seen how much you all love their brand as well so they have given me an exclusive code RECRUITERMOM20 for 20% off your purchase (only one code be used at a time).
St. Barts Ruffle One Piece (L) | Girls Aqua Citrus Embroidered Terry Cover Up
As I mentioned Cabana Life has swimwear, coverups and clothing for the entire family so I brought along the 2nd biggest fan of swimming in our family, Miss A to share some of the girls styles. Her pieces are primarily from last year (and she wore them a ton) but they just released some NEW kids prints as well here.
Unlike her mama, Miss A is built like her dad and is average height but below average weight for age so finding quality swimwear that doesn’t swallow her can be difficult at times. In Cabana Life we size down for both my kids, if yours are average weight then stay true to size.
I shared this St. Barts’s one piece a few weeks ago when it first launched and you loved it as much as I do! The ruffle straps look adorable off the shoulder or all the way up. Plus paired with some shorts or a pull on skirt it can easily go from pool to walking around outfit.
Bag | Flip Flops | Shorts (L)
This next swimsuit I grabbed because while I’m alone in my backyard I like to get a little tan on my belly when I can. Now I’m not a huge fan of showing my mid section on the internet but again I’m embracing just loving the body I’m in so if you want a two piece this one is great!
I love the wide adjustable straps and enough coverage for my 36DD chest. Now bad news this style/ color has sold out so quickly!! Good news there are a few new color combos with this same style including the Seascape, Coral Tides and Aruba Blues.
Coastal Cottage Bikini Top (L) | Coastal Cottage Bikini Bottom (XL)
I’ve also been impressed with this style of bikini bottoms where is it high enough rise and nice wide sides. I learned last year that the bikini bottoms can run slightly small and the last thing I want is a tight bikini so I sized up to an XL and they are perfect.
Now let’s have a quick “I’m a curvy mom” talk. While I don’t prefer to wear bikinis out in public a ton I do my best to always speak positively about my body around my daughter. Like I mentioned earlier she is built like her dad so her genes blessed her with high metabolism and long legs but we talk more about strength, good habits and using your body for life. I want her to know that we are ALL beautiful and you can wear ANYTHING you please, well as long as mom says it’s acceptable.
At this age I’m glad that Cabana Life has tons of rash guard sets where if she wants to wear a bikini she can but it also comes with a long sleeve rash guard to cover her arms. Some of the 3 piece sets comes with smaller bikini tops but this coral geo color has more of a sports style top that I like better on Miss A.
Coral Tides Unisuit (L) | Girls Coordinating Unisuit
After seeing my kids love their long sleeve rash guards last year I decided to pick up this cuter NEW Coral Tides unisuit. The great thing about this unisuit is that it has a good built in shelf bra and larger cups so there is still some internal support for larger chests. Plus the side zipper detailing and coral color are adorable.
The coordinating girls suit was not out yet when we had ordered but it’s adorable for a great mommy & me look. Plus brother and dad can get into the matching action with suits that pick up the mint color.
Coral Geo Rashguard Set | Coral Tides Unisuit (L) | Coral Pull-on Shorts (L) | Bag
Now onto the dresses! As mush as I love Cabana Life swimwear I adore their dresses and swim cover ups as well! Each style still contains their SPF 50 sun protection material making these great for living in Texas where I feel like we are in sleeveless dresses for about 9 months of the year.
Aruba Blues Sleeveless Tunic Dress (L)
This Aruba Blues Sleeveless Tunic has quickly become my favorite dress because it has their lightweight swim material on top but then it’s fully lined making it a more structured dress. Along with the pocket details and hem fringe every bit of this dress just screams vacation!
The next piece I grabbed was a style that I fell in love with last year and was so excited to see back in this Aruba Blues print and NEW Seascape print. It has an easy throw over your head style accented with tie waist tassel, pockets and flutter sleeves.
Aruba Blues Tie Waist Midi Dress (S/M) | Flip Flops
This dress does run large though so I highly recommend sizing down. Last year I got it in a L and I could wear it as a coverup but the V neck was too deep to wear as a dress. Once I sized down I can easily wear this both ways. It has a stretchy swimsuit material that dries quickly and makes it the perfect summer by the pool style.
The final dress is a bit of a sneak preview! This Sleeveless Shift dress has been one of Cabana Life’s most popular styles in the summer with a high halter neck and pockets. It’s currently available in 10 prints but this Spring Regatta print will be out later this season.
Sleeveless Shift Dress (L) | Wedges | Bag
Amazing news on these BuDhaGirl bracelets, today through April 9th, when you purchase any set of All Weather Bangles®, BuDhaGirl will send our BOGO-exclusive, Aperol-inspired AWB® set for free to anyone of your choice.
Images captured by the incredible Audrie Dollins at The Studio at Atrium Salon
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Ry you look STUNNING in all of the photos and your daughter is adorable! What a fun shoot that must have been for you both.