Wednesday

It's Almost Summer and I Have Anxiety Zones

This week it hit 95 degrees. Yes, you read that correctly. 95, as in 5 away from 100.

It was hot.

My kids started their annual campaign to go swimming. Of course, the community pools aren't open yet. Like that matters. They just started talking about it, planning, dreaming . . . it is the way God created them.

I find this amusing.

God created babies to grow in the tummies of Mommies. These babies love water. These Mommies have to squeeze their tummies into swimming attire to accompany their babies. In the water. Can you see the sick cycle?

Oh, yes, my friends, our God has a sense of humor. HE does.

I love this time of the year. It makes me feel frisky. But not enough to get half-naked on purpose

Nope, I just don't see that desire in this post-baby body.

And so, call the prayer chain, please, because I started to bathing suit shop. Three-way mirrors and all.

I have one word for you: D-E-S-P-A-I-R. (Guess where all that winter sweet tea went?)

It was so discouraging, I turned to the internet and decided to shop online.  Because, the three-way mirrors can't mock me there.

And I found a friend at Land's End dot com. I saw words like, "anxiety zones, petite plus, tummy control, all over control" and I felt safe. Secure. At home.

Land's End introduced me to this amazing lady.

Her name is Virtual Model. And she is helpful, indeed.

You can enter your, um, personal data and your virtual body appears. Land's End is kind enough to pick out swimsuits that will look nice on your virtual-ness. Not one bikini appeared in my choices. They are nice that way.

Before I entered my actual, rather depressing, measurements, I decided to enhance my figure. I just made a few small changes to my height, weight, age, and lips. Oh, and I grew my hair out. Because I could.

Here is the pretend me:

I'm pretty hot, huh?

And yes, the bikini popped up in my virtual closet, so I decided to live a little.

Back to reality, 'cause I really do need a swimsuit for all that swimming my kids plan to do in a couple of weeks.

Here's my virtual body. I'm going with black (that's pretty much all the choices I was given because it's slimming). But, I think it will work.

So, go on, and try it. It is almost summer, you know!

Virtual swimsuit shopping works for me.  Visit Works for Me Wednesday to see what works for everyone else.

And, I have an amazing giveaway going on right now.  Click here, leave a comment and you'll have a chance to win a gorgeous custom charm bracelet valued at $60!

*Update*  To use Land's End's Virtual Model, Pick a suit and click try it on to get to the virtual model.

42 comments:

Andrea said...

Yeah...do they have any preggo suits. I wish I was one of those cool girls who could go out in their bikinis, preggo and all! Yeah, the sad thing is I can probably push my stomack out where I look pregnant even though I'm what...8 weeks! Great times!

Wifeof1Momof4 said...

hey .. I know that lady .. I met her last week when I REFUSED to try on anything in the mall or store and found the Land's End website.

I'll admit I was still a little disappointed because I didn't think I was really this .. um .. well .. endowed sans bottom .. (hehe) .. so I am giving it another three weeks before Virtual Model and I meet again over h2o w/ a little lemon twist.

heather said...

really? a virtual model?? I am going to try this puppy out and find myself a suit.

p.s. the virtual "real" you is still hot!!

Unknown said...

Well, first, let me say that 95 is a walk in the park - we have been in the 100's (that means over 100!) lately!

You look great in the black suit - very cute!

Based on your cute camo pic from your son's party, I was going to suggest that you look for a camo suit!

The Apron Queen said...

Want a painfully honest critic to take swimsuit shopping with you? You can borrow my 12 yr old. I took her with me. It was painful, but you know what... she did pick out a suit that flatters me best.

Anonymous said...

You hit 95?! We hit 99! We'll be in the mid to upper nineties all week. EW.

I know what you mean about not wanting to get into a swimsuit, I'm not crazy about it, either. I had fun playing with the virtual model, though. Thanks for the link! :)

girlmomx3 said...

I am taking this idea for a ride! I can't wait. I've been wondering where those pics came from. Thanks,
Jane

Marni's Organized Mess said...

That is awesome. I am going right over.

Marni's Organized Mess said...

Ok, maybe it's just late and I'm tired, but I can't figure out how to make the virtual me. I see sorting options...?

Anonymous said...

Ah, here is where living in the frozen tundra pays off. I have a bit to go before swimming season. There's all sorts of time for me to diet and look like the virtual model in the bikini, right? Hey, a girl can dream.

Ok, Where Was I? said...

You are funny. And I'm just sick enough to need to go try this thing out.

brooke said...

I can't find it either... do you have a direct link to the model creator thingie?

Valarie Lea said...

Oh, I am gonna have to go try this. I really like that black one. It looks really good on "you".

Anonymous said...

Neat! I think I am going to head on over there and try it. Thanks for the tip!

marky said...

I love Lands End! I will say that the suits are a little pricey but so worth it, they last for years! The virtual model is really fun, but somewhat depressing too. I played around with mine once and realized how skinny I would be with just 3 inches added to my short short stature!
It has been way too cold in PA to think about Bathing Suits, but I know the time is coming!
Enjoy!

Happy Mommy said...

That is amazing! I already found my suit for the summer but I had to agonize over the 3 way mirror... I like the black it's really cute! Great tip.
I am really looking forward to shopping at those outlet malls you told me about yesterday!

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

I did something CRAZY this year.

I bought a suit from Sam's Club. (If you don't have them down there they're like Costco. Super-Mega-Ginormous Warehouse.) But you know what? It's made by Speedo, its mucho cute AND it cost me $22. Best part? They don't have fitting rooms there, so you don't have to try it on under harsh lights. I *did* try it on at home and discover it was too small, but an exchange for the right one was easy!

Congrats on finding a suit!

Suzie said...

I hate bathing suit shopping cant I just wear my materinity one that covers me from head to toe for the rest of my life

Kate said...

AWESOME...some Lands End WOMAN creator has hit the nail on the head here people. Wow, this might be the ONLY slightly pain-free way to swim suit shop! Sweet, thanks for sharing this great tip...btw, I think your virtual self is OFF THE HOOK, rock on Mama! :D

Memarie Lane said...

I'll have to go on there and see if they have suits for very thin pregnant women with very large breasts (I was a 32DD BEFORE I got pregnant, now I think I must be an E or F??)

Anonymous said...

I just KNEW there was a good reason that the high is only 56 today here. Begone, swimsuit of death.

Alexia said...

Thanks for the tip - that was fun to play around with...not that I would actually buy a swimsuit...that would mean I have to wear it LOL

Shannon said...

I hate swim suit shopping and swim season is year round in the tropics. For the last 2 years I have ordered online and hoped for the best. It has worked pretty good so far. Much less painful too.

Dawn said...

We hit the 100 mark yesterday! Too early for that record!!!

I had a little trouble finding the virtual model, too. (FYI, for any of you still looking - select the item you want to see and then look for the "try it" button.) Too bad we can't really change our body with the click of a button like we can with the model!

Anonymous said...

I bought a Lands End suit last summer and it looks good (if you ignore the cottage cheese thighs below it.) I was just complaining that it's 55 today, but I'll stop that now. Jeans and jackets look much better on me than swim suits do.

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

I find it hard to believe someone with your great attitude would have this fear! It's not about the outside girl! You know this! It's what's inward that shines through! You could wear a potatoe sack and still "have it"!!! ( I don't advise this, as it may pull you under water?!)

Word to the wise: Pray for help in picking the right swimsuit, as I did the very first one I tried on was it! Wore it around the house for awhile and then to the end of year picnic/pool party I hosted yesterday, still wearing it this morning! (j/j)

Still IMHO...ask HIM for the best one and don't be surprised when it happens ;0)

Angela Nazworth said...

LOVE this!! Thanks for the tip. And I am loving that skritini's are popular. Love them.

Mama Smurf said...

Thanks for the tip...I'll have to go try that. Although, if I come home with yet another bathing suit I'm afraid my husband may have justifiable means for divorce. I think perhaps I should stay away from the site after all.

Liza on Maui said...

We just got our Lands End Catalog on the mail. I like Lands End.

Your virtual model looks good. I think it's hot!

Happy Summer!

Miss Erica said...

Honey, I feel your pain. It was 106 here yesterday. Now I'll go over to that site and see if the model makes me happy or sad. This could determine the outcome of my day...wish me luck.

Robin said...

I've used the virtual model before. But somehow she never looks quite right with my measurements! I actually shopped for swimsuits yesterday. I decided to just wear last year's again!

Darla said...

Okay, since you gave me this great tip (OMG I've been having a ball), I won't tell you how it's actually CHILLY here today (too chilly for shorts).

Do you know how often I have purchased clothes from Lands End and never new about the virtual model. VERY COOL!

marigold said...

LOVE IT! You're a riot!

Miss Erica said...

Okay, so I tried it out. I like to think that the real me is a little hotter, but she was accurate enough. Although if you want to talk about accuracy, Land's End will have to add a few features: 1) Stretch mark paintbrush. Paint on wherever your personal stretch marks are. And 2) A "saggy boobs" button for the my-kids-sucked-the-perk-out-of-my-now-empty-tube-sock-looking-boobs syndrome that at least I caught. Thinking about it further, however, I would not recommend those. Land's End would probably be sued for the cost of all of the new Paxil prescriptions users would need due to deep depression. So never mind. Good work, Land's End.

DD said...

I love how regardless of how WIDE your actual measurements are on the virtual model she still has a perfectly flat stomach. Have you ever seen a 41" pooch with no fat ripples? Neither have I.

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous tip! Thanks. I too began the quest for a swimsuit this week. All I can say is I hate mirrors. HATE 'em. They are waayyy to truthful for my taste. But I'm heading over to Land's End thanks to you! =0)

Susan said...

Oh, you are just so FUNNY!! Hmmm, I'll have to check out that site, interesting!

Hey, it least it lets you have fun with fantasy!!

I really like the one you choose!

Blessings♥

Toni said...

I am trying to decide if I am brave enough to try this. I have my own virtual body in my mind and I am afraid seeing the one they have may conflict!!!

Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Land's End just became my new BFF. Can you digitally place stretch marks on too?

Unknown said...

What a great way to go shopping for a swimsuit.

Btw, you are pretty just the way you are.

Karen said...

I only wish I could enhance my figure as easily as all that. Sounds fun - I may have to pop over and try it.

Lilypad Mom said...

I hate bathing suit shopping too. I have to get a tankini because I'm 2 sizes bigger on top than on bottom, but I need to cover my post-c-section, still looks 7 months pregnant belly. I love (well as much as you can love a bathing suit) my Land's End Faille tankini.