The Knittin' Kitten: bathing beauty

Saturday, May 19, 2012

{2012 Galveston Island Bathing Beauty Revue}

Today was it: the 2012 Galveston Island Bathing Beauty Revue!

I was feeling a little under the weather but that didn't stop me from having a blast!

I never went to prom in high school- I was grounded at the time.

So many people I know, who are the appropriate age, are talking about their proms that are happening this month.

Well this was like prom for me yay!

Travis and I drove down to Galveston late Friday morning.

We checked in to our comfty hotel and then immediately left for the beach.

I wore the 1950's Hawaiian play suit I got from work.

Trav and I collected sea shells and driftwood, sipped wine, played with Juri the Labradoodle and swam in the ocean.

I spent more time in the water.

I was surrounded by hundreds of fish!

They were all swimming north and some were jumping out of the water.

A small school of fish even swam straight in to me!

Before I knew it 17 o'clock rolled around and it was time to go change for dinner.

It's a tradition of ours to always eat at the Mediterranean Grill every time we are on Galveston.

I wore a pink 1950's floral frock I got from the sale rack at work.

Underneath I wore a 1950's girdle and 1950's petticoat, also from my work.

Ah, the perks of working at a vintage shop.

,We ordered a delicious white Greek wine, Trav had roasted lamb and I had vegetables with hummus.

I also received a call from the cattery where Marie is from; she has 3 new grandkittens!

I will go visit them next week.

There are many horse-drawn carriages in the area and I got to pet a few.

After dinner we headed to Bands and Bombshells at Saengerfest Park.

I wore my sash.

There were quite a few neat old cars to look at- my favorite was a 1920's farm truck but it didn't stay for very long.

It was then my stomach decided to be contrary so we went back to the hotel.

After a bit I was feeling a little better and then we went to the beach.

The beach is quite lovely at night; so many stars!

After a while it was time to go back so we did.

Watched some cartoons on tv (Family Guy, Robot Chicken and Squidbillies) and then hit the hay.

For breakfast this morning we stopped in at the Oasis Juice Bar.

I got a chocolate-banana-almond smoothie and Travis got a hemp protein-agave-spirulina smoothie.

I also bought green tea and water to save for later- gotta stay hydrated!

Then before we knew it, it was noon and time for me to check in at the San Luis Resort!
I changed into my 1950's brown cotton tiki-print play suit.
Said hi to a few other girls I knew from last year.
So many cute suits!
We all put on our robes and were led out across the street and down to the beach.
Before the actual pageant began, we all had to stay in a large canvas tent.
Soon we were called up on stage and across the sand one by one.
I sure am glad that I borrowed a parasol from work- the sun was hot!
I even spotted Travis in the crowd!!
I didn't win or anything but I still had an awesome time- can't wait until next year!

We packed up and left pretty much after the Revue was over; I still wasn't feeling very well.
Stopped at Whole Foods for supper on the way home.
Upon returning home I had a hot bath and now I am ready to go to sleep- I am completely exhausted!

Monday, May 30, 2011

{Southern beaches}

Spent a lovely weekend in Galveston.
The occasion?
I was a contestant in the 2011 Galveston Island Bathing Beauty Contest!
This took place May 20 and 21st, but I stayed until the 22nd just to treat myself.. I was unfortunately experiencing relationship problems at the time and contemplated not going but I made myself go and I am ever so glad I did.
Maybe it's because I practically grew up on the beaches of California but salt water, sand, wind and seashells are very soothing to me.
I have never rented a hotel room by myself or even gone on any kind of trip by myself, so it was pretty exciting!
I was a little worried to leave my cats and dog at home but they were just fine.

I wore a blue 1950's 2-piece Elisabeth Stewart swimsuit I scored at the vintage shop Replay down the street from my work.
I can't believe I even signed up at first.. I used to have terrible self-esteem/self/image problems.
Well, maybe not really "problems", but just.. ahh it's hard to explain!!!!!
Self-conscious. I think that's what I mean.
I have always received a lot of unwanted attention due to my large breast size and it used to really, really bother me.
My measurements are pretty much a freak of nature.. 36-26-39.
I have a curvy vintage figure.
I wear a size 32G bra.
There I said it.
Not self-conscious anymore :D

Just irritated that it's hard to find bras that fit me. Lol.

Anyways, I believe that being in this contest really helped me with my self consciousness issues.

Or whatever one would call it.

I met so many kind girls down in Galveston and I also met my best friend in Texas, Alicia, there too!

It was awesome to talk to and just be around other vintage enthusiasts, collectors, seamstresses, etc.

Morale was very high and we all cheered each other on!

The contest tool place at the Hotel Galvez to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the hotel and the bathing beauty contests that were held there since the 1910's.

The hotel bar was rather lovely as well.. all mirrors and dark wood.
I had a bit of liquid courage (champagne) before the show started!