Ok, final update on the swimsuit issue, is a somewhat disappointing, embarrassing, and relieving discover that I apparently already have six bikinis, which is more than any pale bookworm from Seattle should have. I mean maybe if I actually went to the beach more than once or twice a year.

Since we've been this far in Maia's swimsuit adventures (which sadly haven't been as fun as they sound), and this has been my primary accomplishment for the day (rather than preparing a stellar class for tomorrow) I may as well tie it up properly and sum them up:

Two I've never worn, one that's this red paisley pattern from J.Crew that I really love; the other, black with little flowers by Betsey Johnson (and other very silly Betsey Johnson-ish detailing);

Two that fit reliably enough to lounge around near a pool but not to actually go in the water, both of which I've worn a fair amount: one is red with a tiny string top and boyshort bottoms, from when I apparently thought this would make me look thinner (?) and one that's white with bananas from VS that I actually wore quite a bit last summer;

My favorite white standby from J. Crew which is cute and useful for all sorts of things like hoop dancing, though perhaps the color is starting to go a little;

Finally, an unwearable but adorable Anthro fortiesish (someone has to help me on accuracy) bikini. It has MORE coverage than any of the others but the waist hits right below the bellybotton, and I kind of think that regardless of how much I weigh or don't weigh, that is not a good place for elastic to hit. WHY did I keep it? This was a case of some kind of wishful thinking that somehow my body is capable of abs of steel.

I think I've just negated any possible argument for a new swimsuit, haven't I. Hmm. . .

EPIC SWIMSUIT POSTS PART IV: Final statements

#1: Does this girl have breasts? Anywhere? Also why is the sun obliterating her head?



Also, note re: turquoise Anthro suit (the non-Athena one). It looks a lot more turquoise on the website and in the pic I have, I'm not sure what blogger is doing to it.

There is also a simple VS suit in a plum color in consideration, but I can't get a proper picture of it, so I'm leaving it off.

Shopping, anyone? Input would actually be appreciated, I'm curious to get opinions.

EPIC SWIMSUIT POSTS PART III: Victoria's Secret

I feel like I've wanted the first one on here since 2005, but I can't imagine they've kept the same one that long, so I must be wrong. The stars are very cute and cheap. Gold might be ok, even if the picture is ridiculous. I'm not sure if I can wear the color at the bottom.

--interlude, meeting with committee member--


me: according to [committee member], i need to read more about the history of western culture
ro something
like

callmemrtopps: oif

me: i need to know more.
period
so i'm drinking wine out of a juice box
and updating my blog
check it out
swimsuit edition

EPIC SWIMSUIT POST PART II: Anthropologie Edition.

I really like the first one, which is called the "Athena Bikini," drawing attention to how Anthro constantly manipulates us by their names ("blue bikini with oval cutouts" would be very Stephenie Meyer but not so much $200 swimsuit). I mean seriously:

"A two-piece fit for a goddess, hued in sky blue and trimmed with mythical swirls of shimmering seed beads. By Kathleen Cook."

Why wouldn't you want it? Even if you hadn't seen it?

The one below I like, but I'm not sure if I can wear turquoise. It also comes in black.

As a late preface to this whole thing, it is not at all apparent that I should buy a new swimsuit at all, since first I would have to try on my old swimsuits and see which ones fit. I will do this at some point when my roommate's boyfriend is not at home.

EPIC SWIMSUIT POSTS PART I

I totally missed this popping up on J.Crew until it sold out of every size in each style (though the full swimsuit one probably would be too short in the body for me anyway. But I love the pattern so much! The cover-up is still for sale.

Also, why are half of the J.Crew swimsuits sold out in January? I assume that this isn't the one shot summer swimsuit shopping? I'm assuming this is winter-getaway season and that the stores will be replenished. . .

I do like this kind of tangly over the top necklace that is in right now:



Though that one doesn't seem to be for sale, if it even IS a necklace, and not a necklacelike illusion. However, aside from the pretty picture, I am even more pleased by this:



Not, please, by the necklace itself. But rather, because it is made by Subversive. Whose website, http://www.subversivejewelry.com/, I came across in September, when I was working on my Sade paper, and typed in the word "subversive" to find synonyms (because it's so dull to say literature is "subversive" these days!). Which I immediately thought was quite fashionably awesome, and clearly, of the moment. (I don't think the necklace above is one of their best exactly. . . ).

So now I feel very "with it." Kind of.

Searching for a comparison between "Dionysia" and "Saturnalia," I come across this website, which is upsettingly helpful and clearly went through wonderful magical translation machine. . .
http://www.veselo.info/english/travel/holidays-festivals/carnival/history-carnival.html


History of Carnival Origin
How is wonderful magical holiday come from and where its sources?
Of course, nothing born in an empty place, and no single opinion on these questions.

It is known, that holidays was celebrated in the pre-Christian time and had many common with present carnivals:

* In the Ancient Greece, for instance, in honor of the Dionysus (the god of fructiferous forces of the earth, vegetation, wine-making and the patron of a theatrical act), it was a large religious festival - the Dionysia, which included: merry dances, an execution of joking songs, competitions of poets and awards for victorious actors, and also the masquerade procession, where in front of it always had been the funny “ship” with a costume group. Authors of the Ancient Rome named it “carrus navalis”, what means “sea chariot”.

* In the Rome it was heathen holidays, named the Saturnalia and initiated to the Saturn, god of grain, vegetation and wine. The general idea of the feast consists to invert the ordinary motion of life in time. During two weeks all class boundaries was erased by nonpublic law of festival: the rich and poor was equalized in rights, children headed families, slaves could sit freely with theirs masters at the table and demand from them a subordination, and for reason do not spoil the merriment - everybody hid their faces behind masks. Also, a pseudo-king was chosen at the time of the holiday and in the end of Saturnalias he must be to die by any ways: to be burned, hanged and etc.

After Christianity became popularity, all heathen feasts were forgotten.

* And only thousands years later, in the Venice of Italy, it was created merry and motley holiday, which was celebrated every year before the beginning of the traditional Christian fasting of Lent, at that period Catholics do not eat the meat. And the most probably, the name “Carnival” comes from the Italian «carnovale», which originates from the Latin words “caro” (meat) and “vale” (farewell), literally "Farewell to meat" or from the carnem (meat) + levare (lighten or raise), literally "to remove the meat" or "stop eating meat".