WIW: Swimsuit Shopping

Note: The purpose of my What I Wore posts is to show what an outfit post from an average mom with a limited budget and even less photography skill looks like. I also love to highlight my favorite etsy shops who make some pretty awesome accessories.

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As some of you probably know, I have a lot of body image issues. So for me, swimsuit shopping is a really emotional activity.  However, two things got me really stoked to try on the suits this weekend.

1) Free suits!

Thanks to Crowdtap, I was offered the chance for a friend and me to head to Old Navy and pick out one new swimsuit each - for free!  I'll put up with some time in front of a hideous dressing room mirror if I get something for free. 

2) Time with friends.

We have good friends who live about 3 hours away.  We don't get to see them too often, but the lure of free clothes got them to drive down for the weekend.  Not only did we have an awesome time shopping, but we got in a little double-date dinner-and-a-movie action, too.  Such a blessing for me, who had been feeling a little lonely lately.

I'll confess - I was a little disappointed with the experience at first.  Our Old Navy store had a much slimmer selection than what was available on their website - mostly teeny bikinis (which, after 3 babies, I won't touch with a 10 foot pole) and halter tops (which look awful on ladies like me who have a little extra arm chub).  My usual poolside wardrobe includes a top with wide straps and a long, skirted bottom (I love my swimdress) - so I was a little dismayed at how I looked in most of the ON suits.  Even their attempts at skirted suits made me look a little like an overstuffed sausage.  After two trips to the dressing room, however, I found a couple that I felt ok in.  Here's what I ended up with:

 My friend checking out the flip flops.  She was SO excited to buy some new clothes for her upcoming cruise.  (She got a really adorable free suit, too).

 What I wore while shopping

shirt: Arizona (garage sale find)

tank: Express (hand-me-down)

shorts: Old Navy (ancient)

bracelet: Pandora

necklace: Helzberg Diamonds

earrings: Target

 Suits that looked super cute on the rack and not so hot on me :p

 My favorite suit which, sadly, was all sold out in my size

 I really liked this one, but just wasn't daring enough to go for it.

 The suit I finally chose.  I like the ruffles, and it's a much bolder color than I'd usually buy (most of my suits are black).  Had to get the shorts to cover up my legs, though, the bottom of the suit looked really weird.

Couldn't resist buying this outfit, too.  It's what I wore today!  I love blousey shirts - they make me feel feminine and pretty.

So that was my trip!  Thanks for bearing with my awkward dressing-room self-photos :p

p.s. Even the cashier asked me where I got my awesome free-suit coupon.  If you'd like one, too, consider joining Crowdtap.  You answer 1-10 consumer-based questions/day and gather points.  I'll be honest, it took me about a year to garner enough credit to start getting free stuff, but for 5 minutes a day, I'd say it's worth it!  This is my third sample opportunity this month, and my second free Old Navy outfit. 

Thanks for stopping by!