Swimsuit season

Summer's here, and it's swimsuit season. Finding a flattering swimsuit, one-piece, or two-piece, is an emotional, physical, and psychological challenge. Swimsuits have this amazing ability to highlight the troublesome body spots at just the moment we're trying to build confidence to look sexy.

One-piece swimsuits, in black, with built-in cups, are great for hiding mid-rift problems, elongating long legs, and creating more cleavage. Their snugness in the crotch area helps hide male anatomical parts, while also accenting subtle rears. The only challenge with these is taking slipping out of them to use the bathroom, especially when they're wet.

Two-piece swimsuits, bikinis and tankinis, take some bold confidence to wear and some out-of-the-box thinking to solve body issues. Much easier to pull down when wet, for a quick bathroom trip or other escapade, they can also be easily worn under other clothes while letting bikini strings show around the neckline.

Espadrilles and wedges are practical shoe wear around pools and sand, offering height and balance. Stilettos up the overall sexiness of a swimsuit a few levels and guarantee attracting attention. Sling-back sandals, thong sandals, and strappy flats are comfortable to accessorize any swimsuit.

Purses complement swimsuit outfits, while providing a place to safely store jewelry, phones, sunglasses, makeup, sunblock, and enough other items for a day by the pool or beach.

Searching for new heels

A few weeks ago, I was out searching for a new pair of heels. Wearing a cute top, ultra skinny jeans, and sexy sling-back sandals, I stopped at one of my favorite shoe stores. The sales associate, a new girl I didn't recognize, instantly started helping me, showing me different options, and enticing me to try on two pairs of heels.

Sliding into a pair of caged metallic stilettos, the sales associate carefully looked over the heels and my whole outfit, then complimented me on how well I was able to wear them. She then persuaded me to try another pair of strappy stilettos in a color I don't usually buy, pink. Again she looked over the heels and my whole outfit, and excitedly remarked how pink stilettos suited me.

Strutting around the store, I tried out the grip of the pink stilettos and noticed several customers looking over the heels and my outfit, then smiling approvingly. The sales associate seemed to be determined to help me find the perfect pair of heels, offering compliments, suggestions, and ideas.  It truly was an uplifting experience!