The Five and Ten

Well, it looks like Urban Outfitters has thrown in the towel, and utterly given up on even the remotest possibility that summer is actually ever coming to NYC this year, and accordingly has marked their prices waaay down, with many items a mere $5 or $10 (OK, $4.99 or $9.99, if you must be such a stickler for accuracy. And yes, apparently I must be.). Let their loss of faith be your wardrobe gain. Especially since you just know August will be hotter 'n hell starting at precisely 12:00:00 AM on 8/1/09.

$5!

$10

$10 (leatha)

Euphemistically Speaking

For various reasons -- let's say my hatred of the beach and the non-stop rain of late* -- I do not expect to put on a bathing suit ANY time soon. But if I did, I would like it to be this one ($29 for both pieces). I would also like to be this chick.

*While these are both valid reasons, I do admit that in this case, they are merely euphemisms for "my ass" and "my pasty white skin."

One Piece, Two Piece, Three Piece, Four

So I had to have a two piece. I finally got myself one that I loved, and after a quick subway ride, a train ride and 1/4 mile walk we all hit the beach, more bags of stuff than people, but ok, who's counting, and we're Jewish so we had to have enough food for (n*3) people where n is the number of people actually involved in the activity. Here is my suit from the Gap ($28) - so cheap, and just perfect, especially since the top ties at the top at the neck and the bottom to get it to fit just right.

But, we get to the beach and, lo, my friend has on an adorable black one piece! So now I need that too. And can't a luckier chick have more than one bathing suit? Especially if she lives under the delusion that she will go often enough to some body of water that she actually requires at least two, because one is always wet? As delusions go, this is a pretty benign one, you must admit. And here is an awesome black one piece from Lands End for $24.99. Look at it - it is even more customizable than my little bikini. You can choose from two torso lengths as well as three bra types and four cup sizes. Maybe all of Simsbury was right to do all its shopping from Lands End? Ugh, painful images of polos, khakis, webbed blets and boat shoes (all worn by the girls, mind you, and not when preppy was the style) from my high school days come flooding back. Maybe just stick to this suit.

Codebreaker

Since Jayn so kindly shared her hobby with us a few posts back, I thought it was time to fill you in on mine. I enjoy searching the Internet for coupon codes. I do it every time I make an online purchase, and I also get great joy out of finding coupon codes for other people (I earned my keep -- and possibly a larger share in the will -- while temporarily living with my grandparents by finding discount codes for all of my grandmother's online purchases). If you ask nicely, I will probably find some for you.

Luckily for all of us, there are people who devote an even greater percentage of their time than I to this pursuit, and have created myriad web sites dedicated to the craft. So yesterday, when I found this super-cute bathing suit on Victoria's Secret's site, I was able to pop over to Google, type in "Victoria's Secret coupon codes," and with a little bit of research, end up with 25% off, free shipping and a bonus beach tote. The total came to $21 and change!

If you're interested in copying my awesome score, the codes were "swimtote," "beach25," and "swimsuits." The suit comes in 15 different colors/patterns, so at $21, you should totally buy two (and even pattern-phobic Jayn can find one she likes). Plus you have a choice of different bottom styles, so you can find one that best suits your butt -- crucial, I know.

Some of the codes I used may have expired on 6/15, but even if you can't use them, the suit is still totally worth it at $29. It's just not as fun that way.

Bathing Suit Season

Okay, so this company is kind of old-lady. (My grandma is a regular customer. Hi, Grandma!) But if you're looking for a simple bathing suit, they have some decent options! I mean, this is pretty cute, nice color, good cut, and the whole thing is less than $20 (right now, each piece appears to be on sale for $9.60). You could totally wear that to the beach, and I would not laugh at you or call you Shirley. Unless that was your name.