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the solution to my swim suit problem.

June 20, 2015 Sara Smith
rey swimwear review

When I think about going swim suit shopping, I think curling up into a ball in a dark corner of my closet for a few hours sounds like a much more appealing alternative.  

When I think of traveling to Target or the mall or wherever else one might go to buy a swim suit and searching through the racks upon racks of bikinis and the tiny section of tankinis and the super tiny (and ugly) section of one-pieces and taking the meager selection of swimwear that might possibly have a chance of fitting me to the unflattering light of a dressing room and trying on these pieces and realizing I look naked and feel naked and, yep, that 'kini top does not fit...when I imagine all that, my dark little corner starts to sound mighty nice and comforting.

Sadly, I don't live in Alaska where I could probably get away with not owning a decent swim suit and still go on to live a satisfyingly full life.  No, I live in Florida where you really cannot be a well-functioning member of society without one.  Especially in the summer.  Life outside in the summer revolves around pools and beaches and splash parks.  

Until recently, my usual game plan for situations involving water has been to wear a t-shirt and sport shorts over the same bikini I've had since high school (that was almost 10 years ago).  And this has been slightly embarrassing and more than slightly uncomfortable. Cotton takes a lot longer to dry than spandex, and it's a lot heavier when it's wet.

I've been wearing clothes over my bikini for a few reasons.  For one, I feel extremely self-conscious with the amount of my body being exposed for the world to see when I wear a bikini.  I feel this even more so now after having given birth to a child, who is precious but, nonetheless, has done things to the skin on my stomach I'd rather not exactly showcase.  Also, when I do manage to find a swim suit I'd consider wearing in public, the swim suit either is cute but will never fit me correctly or the swim suit fits (hooray!) but is really unattractive.  This is my second reason for failing as a Floridian: shopping for a swim suit, as I described earlier, is a pretty defeating experience.  

But this post is not about defeat.  This post is about victory.  Victory in the form of a super cute, gloriously fitting swim suit that I have worn confidently in public a few times now.  And yes, I wore it without shorts and a t-shirt, as you can see.  

rey swimwear review
rey swimwear review

It was made by Rey Swimwear, and let me just say, I love this company.  I want to hold a big sign outside of their office (actually, I have no clue where it is) thats says "I Heart Rey Swimwear" and cheer and jump up and down. 

Finally I feel pretty while wearing a swim suit.  I feel comfortable.  I feel properly supported.

Finally, I don't feel naked.  I don't feel self-conscious.  I don't feel frumpy.

rey swimwear review

Rey Swimwear has managed to make lovely, high-quality swim suits while keeping modesty as a top priority.  After all, its designs are inspired by Audrey Hepburn, who is the perfect example of beauty and modesty working together.  If you haven't seen its founder, Jessica Rey, speak on the evolution of the swim suit, you should.  She does a great job explaining why this is so important and how we lost sight of it as a society.  

This company is also awesome because all of the swim suits are made ethically in the U.S., which means fair wages and respect for everyone involved in the production process. 

rey swimwear review

I've worn my suit several times now, and it's held up great.  It's definitely mom-friendly and perfect for running around the beach with little ones or laying in a chair by the pool when you need a break.  I found the size chart to be fantastic and accurate (not to mention low-stress) in figuring out which size to order.  If the suit I have isn't exactly your style, not to worry, there are several others to choose from, both one- and two-pieces.  Mine is technically a two-piece because the bottoms are separate.  They also sell suits for girls, and they are adorable.  

rey swimwear review
rey swimwear review by a mom

I wasn't compensated to write this post, and it isn't sponsored by Rey Swimwear.  I've just found something pretty great, and I think it's worth sharing in case you've ever felt stuck in a dark closet of hopelessness, like I have, when it comes to swimwear.

It's true I never felt immodest wearing my shorts and t-shirts.  But I never felt beautiful, either.  

I'm so thankful for this company that is sharing the message that beauty doesn't have to be sacrificed in the name of modesty.  And modesty doesn't have to be sacrificed in the name of beauty.

As it turns out, beauty and modesty actually make quite a lovely pair.

ย 

rey swimwear review
In favorite things Tags rey swimwear, modest swimsuits, vintage inspired swimwear, mom friendly swimwear
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Feathers & Roots | blog about motherhood and faith

Hi there, I'm Sara!  

Mama bird to 2 little ladies + Wife + Saved by grace.

This is where I share my stories of  motherhood and faith. 

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@sarasmith1021

This is what happens when I try to get a nice photo with both of my daughters...๐Ÿ˜ฉ๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜˜ #threenager
โค๏ธโค๏ธ
Happy 30th birthday to this guy! Weโ€™ve known each other since we were 18, and itโ€™s amazing to think back on all the life weโ€™ve lived together since then. Who knew this boy I๏ธ happened to sit next to on a park bench my freshman year in college was going to be my husband, best friend and father of my children. Happy birthday, love, I๏ธโ€™m so excited to see what this year will hold. โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
P.s.- I๏ธ wanted to throw him a Thirty, Flirty and Thriving party but he didnโ€™t share my enthusiasm for that idea...๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ฌ(Major ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™Œ to you if you get my reference. ๐Ÿ˜˜) P.p.s.- I๏ธ know Iโ€™ve taken a lot of time away from here, and I๏ธ would like to share about that at some point...Iโ€™m very much still figuring out how I๏ธ feel about being here in a healthy way. But for now I๏ธ thought it would be okay to share this sweet photo and take a minute to celebrate my hubby. ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ˜Š๐ŸŽ‰
A very, very belated birthday photo. Can't believe my first baby is 3 already, and in one year I'll be 30... ๐Ÿ™„๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜ญโค๏ธ๐ŸŽ‰
I debated over posting this but decided that the perspectives and wisdom in this book are way too good not to share, and so here I am. I've been pretty absent on here lately, and I'd like to be really honest with why in the hope that if any of you share my struggles, you will find encouragement and peace in what's true and also in knowing that you aren't alone. 
I've struggled badly, in every way possible I think, as a result of using this little app in an unhealthy way. Insecurity, comparison, envy, loneliness, rejection, obsessing over growing a following, depression, confusion over what true community looks like here(and if it's even possible), checking my phone over and over again to see my comments and likes, snapping at my kids for interrupting me, ignoring my husband, anxiety over which photo to post...the list goes on. You name it, I've felt it. And I'm really tired. I've experienced firsthand that life can be lonely and tedious, and sometimes we feel like our lives won't matter or be seen unless they're recorded here and lots of people like and comment on them. And I've also experienced firsthand that this way of seeking validation has not in any way been worth the amount of energy I have put into it. It's never given me the peace and satisfaction I've been looking for because our worth as human beings was never meant to be reduced to such levels when there is a God who gives us a worth and meaning beyond words. 
So I've decided to take a huge step back from social media...not sure for how long...but I want to figure out how to be here in a way that is healthy and meaningful, that brings joy to myself and others, that maintains authenticity and ultimately points to the One who brings true peace and satisfaction to all our desires. Instagram will never fill us. It will never validate us. No human praise or affection ever will.  No amount of followers or brand collabs or photo features or free stuff or complimentary comments or Follow Fridays ever will. If these words hit a nerve with you, I can't recommend this book enough. Thank you @tonyreinke for allowing God to speak wisdom through you. (Post continued in comments....๐Ÿ‘‡)
Now that Nora is walking, she's been feeling pretty good about herself (lots of increased levels of exuberance and feistiness going on over here๐Ÿ˜ฌ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ™ˆ ) And so I call this the power stance. โœŠ๏ธ๐Ÿ’•๐Ÿ˜œ

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