Unintended Uses
Quick note to the readers: Thank you very much for your recent feedback. You seem to enjoy outfit info and recipes so here’s a duo. Please keep the input coming and I’ll do my best to provide what you’re looking for. And pardon if you’re seeing this twice. I’d say it was a technical difficulty but good old-fashioned human error is more like it. Now, back to the pressing matter at hand…
Subtly confounding expectations is a supreme pleasure. That includes what I put on my body when in striking distance of a pool.
Mega-colorful resort wear isn’t really my vibe. Ruffles, patterns and beads, it can be kind of a lot. I don’t dress like that IRL, so why would I suddenly ditch my personality because the temperature rises? I’ve previously extolled the easy-chic combo of a below-the-knee skirt over a one-piece bathing suit. It can feel beachy and subtly sexy without a whiff of cougartown.
In this instance, I was recently at a friend’s birthday weekend in the California desert. Here is one of my mega-packable go-to’s —a strapless black swimsuit (this one actually stays put! I have extensively road-tested it for you, promise) under a skirt that wasn’t intended to be anywhere near a pool. The skirt’s waist tie and kick-slit are meant to be in front, but I usually swivel them to the side because I prefer that silhouette. I just snipped out the labels so nobody's the wiser.
Damp hair in a bun. Add gold jewelry after a swipe of self-tanner. Done.
Sidebar convo: I am very hard on bathing suits. I live in swimwear all summer long, wear it in and out of the ocean, pools, outdoor showers and basically every kind of available water including the occasional sprinkler. Yes, ERES (such as the suit above) is pricey, but it endures. On the other hand, if you’re not addicted to water like me, it might not be a worthy wardrobe investment, so here’s another option that isn’t quite as dear.
As always, I am not suggesting you need to purchase a thing. It’s more about the mix, being irreverent with what you already have and dressing in ways that feel good - so you can go out and be your most comfortable, confident self.
Back in black. Last summer in East Hampton, arriving at a friend’s pool on a day so hot that being neck-deep in cool water felt like the only sensible option. This time, I’d paired the same suit with another not-resort skirt (mine is from a couple of seasons ago, but here’s something similar from the same great, woman-owned company). You see a theme emerging - I prefer cover ups that aren’t built for that purpose. Plus a packable hat and the brandless raffia French market bag I’ve had for over a decade.
From black ensembles to blackberries - this cocktail requires more prep than my outfit, but the result is well worth it. To give “good guest” I mixed up a double batch of these crowd-pleasers. Garnished each with a lime twist and a blackberry or two and handed them out to revelers in the pool. See recipe below.
For a non-alcoholic twist, I converted a couple into mocktails by skipping the booze and increasing the sparkling water ratio. Still festive and refreshing.
Finished product snapped by the birthday girl who really loves a weird filter. I wasn’t actually that tan, but you get the point.
Here’s to mixing things up and, not limiting ourselves to prescribed uses or recipes. Let’s “clink” to that.
Smoky Blackberry Margarita - sourced from Pacific Natural
Serves 6
Blackberry Syrup
4 cups blackberries
1 ½ cup sugar
1 ½ cups water
Margarita
1 ¾ cups blanco tequila
¼ cup mezcal
2 cups blackberry syrup
1 ¾ cups freshly squeezed lime juice
1 bottle sparkling water
To make the blackberry syrup: Combine the blackberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Set a fine mesh strainer over a mixing bowl. Strain the blackberry mixture through the strainer, using the back of a wooden spoon to extract any remaining juice from the blackberries. Reserve the syrup and set aside.
To make the margarita: Combine the tequila, mezcal, blackberry syrup, and lime juice in a large pitcher and stir. Divide the margarita between 8 glasses filled with ice. Top with sparkling water and garnish.
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