Sofia by ViX Memorial Day Bikini Giveaway!

To kick off the first weekend of summer, Sofia by ViX and I are teaming up to give away any bikini from the Summer 2013 Sofia collection to one lucky lady!  The contest begins today and ends on Friday, so enter quickly if you want a chance to win a free bikini!

Here's how to enter:

1. Like Sofia by ViX on Facebook.  

2. Follow Sugar and Swim on Instagram and Twitter.

3. Leave a comment on this post or below my Instagram giveaway post telling us one thing on your summer bucket list.  What do you want to do this summer?  Go ziplining?  Fly to the Caribbean?  Go to Mexico?  Ride a donkey?  Have a summer fling?  Whatever your little heart desires, we want to know.  The winner of the best answer will get to pick any bikini of her choice to frolic in along the beaches this summer!  

p.s.- For an extra bonus point, sign up for the Sofia by ViX email newsletter to become a "Sofia Insider."  (Emails will include updates on new bikini styles, sales, future giveaways, etc.)

May Photo Diary

Bikini adjustments.

Practicing my Bond Girl walk.

Semi chubby bunny face?

Disgruntled couple on the left.

The photographer in action!

I am beyond obsessed with these paper umbrellas.

Wearing a San Lorenzo garter bikini set.

"Hold on, let me Instagram this."

May is always an exciting time of year, mostly because summer is on the horizon, but not yet fully within your grasp... and the anticipation of warm air and cold fruity drinks leaves us all giddy with butterflies and the hope of something invigorating happening.  I don't think I'll ever break the school mentality of thinking that September is the beginning of the year, and May-June = the end.  After that, we all blissfully slip into that three month interlude called summertime, in which the world feels lighter, the sun warms our souls, and all stress ceases to exist.  The feeling of being on the cusp of something more adventurous & liberating is what keeps us going, and keeps our internal spark alive during the late Spring months... and this yearning for a carefree summer is what the entire swimwear industry is built upon.

This year was different for me, because it was my first Spring living on the Emerald Coast of Florida.  I've lived in Hawaii and on the Atlantic side of Florida, but this place has its own cozy beach town vibe, and I have become particularly smitten with this little Panhandle part of the country.  If you've never been to Destin, it's a small strip of pristine, sugar-white sandy beaches and transparent waters, filled with swimming dolphins, stand-up paddleboarding, and every watersport imaginable.  My days have been a montage of hammocks, lounge chairs, walks to the beach, sunshine, sand beneath my feet, and frozen yogurt by the spoonful.  I am pretty content with calling this place my home.  There is basically nothing for me to not like here, except for the symphony of frogs that make inexplicable toad sounds in unison outside my windows every night.  (Seriously, do frogs ever sleep?  What is their deal?)  I am no expert, but sometimes I swear it sounds like they are getting it on-- frog style.  They need to take a testosterone chill pill.  Them, and all the noisy insomniac birds around here...

I've also been lucky enough to work with an awesome swimwear company here called Ophelia Swimwear, which is run by a great team of girls, and carries some of the best swimsuit brands on the market.  The model pictures above are from one of our recent fashion show events, which was held at the swanky V Restaurant in Seagrove, FL, and ended with us walking across the street to the beach for an impromptu photo shoot against some of the most dreamy twilight lighting I've ever seen.  We also kind of crashed a romantic one-on-one sunset dinner between a couple that had a private dinner table set up on the beach.  Oops.  Sorry, lovebirds!  Bikini shoots trump romantic dinners.

Vitamin A 2014

Sneak peek of Amahlia Stevens styling her model for the 2014 collection photo shoot.  Looks like some more Vitamin A hotness is in the works!

www.vitaminaswim.com

Amorroma Photo Shoot

(Photographer: Kyle Goldie)

www.amorroma.com

Erica Courtney + Claudia Lobao Trunk Show

I know that I primarily discuss bathing suits and "bikini life" around here, but every once in a while, a girl must get dressed, put on real clothes, and venture out into the world dressed to impress.  And sometimes, the best way to take your look from bland and boring to stunning and head-turning is to add a simple statement piece, like a sparkling pair of earrings or a single glistening diamond bracelet.  This is when it helps to have some fancy shmancy accessories waiting on standby.  

A couple weeks ago, I was introduced to a designer named Erica Courtney, who creates dazzling jewels worn by celebrities like Jessica Alba, Kate Bosworth, Julia Roberts, and Audrina Patridge.  If you've never heard of her, Erica is a Los Angeles-based designer who discovered her passion for jewelry design over twenty years ago when she began making sterling silver jewelry engraved with love notes, and embellishing sunglasses & watches with Swarovski crystals.  Her current collection, titled Drop Dead Gorgeous, has now evolved into a line of fine jewelry that exudes all the glitz and glamour of high-profile Hollywood celebs.  Additionally, she has a spinoff collection called "Gorgeous and Engaged," which was designed for the modern bride, and has been featured on TheKnot.com.  I included two of my favorite engagement rings from this collection in the picture above.  (Not that I'm thinking about destination weddings or anything... on the beach... in Barbados... in a Vera Wang gown... with white candlelit tables.  La dee da dee da.)

One admirable quality worth noting is that Erica always strives to use socially and environmentally responsible manufacturing processes, choosing recycled metals, eco-friendly mining processes, and ethically obtained gems -- which is important for our socially-conscious generation (and anyone who values brand integrity).  

If any of you ladies are located along the Emerald Coast area of Florida, Ms. Erica Courtney will be having a jewelry trunk show this week that you don't want to miss!  The event will be held this Thursday-Saturday, May 16-18th, from 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at: McCaskill & Company, located at: 13390 Hwy 98 West in Destin, FL.  On the same day, there will also be a trunk show held next door for Brazilian jewelry designer, Claudia Lobao.  If you're in the area, come stop by to meet me or the accessory creators themselves!