LE PAUME Bikini Care co-founder Lisa Dorian gave us the scoop on the Maldives + a serious case of wanderlust. Learn how to take care of your 'kinis and Shop LE PAUME Bikini Care + their exclusive Samudra collab xx
Where to Sleep | Four Seasons Kuda Huraa—about a 30 minute speed boat ride from the airport. You walk out of the terminal and hop on your boat. Eat | The food and cocktails at the Four Seasons are amazing. I ate enough for three people each meal. See | The water alone is beyond incredible. The bright white sand makes it an unreal turquoise color. Treat | The gorgeous spa is a minute-boat-ride away. My husband and I had a couples massage in our over-water bungalow. You can see the fishys swim by through the glass floors.
Tell us a little bit about how you like to travel: The thing I now focus on most is my health because it’s no fun being sick or super jet lagged on a trip. On the plane I travel with green packets, electrolytes and probiotics. I’ve found that it’s so much easier to adjust to a huge time difference and hop right into the fun if I stay hydrated and healthy on the inside.
Your 3 essentials: I never leave home without a great hat and sunglasses, and am pretty obsessed with my sunscreen regimen. And I always throw in a light Turkish towel—love how fast they dry.
What inspired you to create LE PAUME? I’ve always been a bit obsessed with bikini care. I did a blog post with you years ago on how to keep your suit looking like new. We spend, or maybe I spend, a fortune on bikinis, every year. It’s a bit silly not to protect your investments.
How do we use your product?Mix a quarter size of LE PAUME with cool water. Hand wash & soak your bikini for a deeper clean, then hang dry in the shade. This little extra love keeps your bikini ready for your next adventure!
We caught up with Carly Osler, Women's Creative for TAVIK Swimwear.
With your new collection dropping and moving manufacturing stateside, this is such an exciting time for Tavik. What inspired you to move production to California?
Our biggest inspiration for domestic production was for our team to be closer and more hands-on, from start to finish. We pride ourselves on quality, fit and delivering on time. With production in Southern California, we get to feel the fabrics and try the fits in real time. We aim for our customer to experience this dedication so they can wear Tavik with confidence. We cater to those looking for special swimwear with a great fit, who appreciate where the product comes from.
What are your three fav pieces from the Made in California collection?
I’m really excited about our new ribbed collection- it’s beautifully textured and the colors are dyed to perfectly match our solids and prints. My two favorite sets are the Jett top and Jayden bottom; and the Ryan halter and Ali bottom.
I can’t forget the Jessi top--we brought it back in multiple colors and prints; the cutouts add just the right amount of edge and sexiness. It’s my go-to top when heading to Palm Springs for a mini vacay with my fiancé.
We're huge fans of your look. Has being able to create everything in your backyard influenced your designs?
Thanks! Yes definitely. With our factory right down the street I can be involved in the whole process and am able to play with textures, hardware, and custom prints. This year brings a feminine touch of brushed-gold and matte metal hardware. The move to domestic production has also helped launch our Essentials Collection--signature tops and bottoms offered year-round. We’re able to update the Essentials as we see fit--adding seasonal colors and multiple coverage bottoms (minimal, moderate, full).
Tell us a little bit about your personal style.
My closet mainly consists of monochromatic basics accented by a few investments in well-made and on-trend pieces - usually shoes, boots, purses and jackets. Splitting my time between two countries, I feel lucky to have the modern city influence of Vancouver mixed with LA’s relaxed beach vibes.
What's the next big thing?
We plan to take the Après Beach lifestyle around the world. It demands sexy, stylish pieces that serve both as swimwear cover-ups and barely there night-out-attire. Our cover up and apparel collections will send you on a search for your modern beach and keep you looking on point no matter where you end up.
In honor of Mother's Day, we wanted to give a shout out to some of our favorite moms who are killing it in the industry and with their personal style at all times. They've shared secrets to maintain balance and raved about some of current obsessions.
Meet the fab duo Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp, owners and designers of Amuse Society: these ladies are the definition of industry veterans!
BB: Best thing about motherhood?
MF & SR: Motherhood is loving and caring for someone in the most extreme way possible! It’s witnessing life with virgin eyes again and really living and enjoying all the love around you. We are both career driven women who spend so much time trying to balance it all…work and family…we always say it has to be quality over quantity…in everything we do:) Our sons and daughters are best friends but they are extreme opposites….it’s important to treat them each as their own person. Motherhood is setting examples and guiding them, but not doing it for them:) Letting them make their own quality decisions is so important….It’s how we got to be where are:) So, thank you Mom (and dad:)
BB: Fav Mom Tip?
MF & SR: You gotta just roll with it! Sometimes, most of the time actually, things will not go as planned and you just have to laugh it off and go with it! Like, if you forget a diaper or a change of clothes and you find yourself needing one or the other, you just make do! Also, stopping to enjoy the moments, without interruption, are so important! Put the cell phone down, stop instagramming, no texting, etc. Relish in the moment, life is good!!!
BB: Current Obsessions?
MF & SR: Both of our little girls LOVE Tori Praver’s swim suits and Lolli. Jagger and Brixton live in their Amuse tee shirts!!!! After that we shop our local boutiques, Zara, Crew Cuts, or our favorite vintage stores for clothes for our little ones!!! We really only use Sun Bum as our sunscreen! Both of our kids are obsessed with green smoothies every morning! Us too but we also love a glass of good champagne! As for destinations…..Mandy is off to her annual Tavarua trip and Summer is heading to Cabo next month!! Kids love the warm weather trips the best!
Meet Cheryl Brubaker, Co-Owner and designer of Knot Sisters, the super rad company that's one part femme fatale and two parts tomboy cool.
BB: Best thing about motherhood?
CB: When my daughter says she loves me and wants to marry her Dad and watching them grow. The Funny things they say, Kids are so pure, they tell it like it is!
BB: Fav Mom Tip?
CB: Although I get overwhelmed sometimes, and as cliche as it sounds en every moment, cause it goes by quick!
Meet Lyndie Irons, the co-owner//designer beauty behind the powerhouse swim line, Acacia Swimwear.
BB: Best thing about motherhood?
LI: Finding purpose. Im a far better person for knowing Axel and Im so incredibly honored to be his mommy. Axel has taught me so much about myself and I strive everyday to be as happy and carefree as him. Im so thankful that I have him.
BB: Fav Mom Tip?
LI: As cliche as it may sound.... ENJOY EVERY MINUTE that you get to spend with your baby. Laugh and have silly fun with them cause they grow up way too fast and you want to be able to look back and smile knowing that you gave your baby the best of you.
BB: Current Obsessions?
LI: Surfing Tandem with Axel, Bikram Yoga, Building Lego's, Traveling and the Acacia/ Epicuren Sunscreen.
Meet Mai Dalle Cort, the fashionista and bombshell behind Aila Blue.
BB: Best thing about motherhood?
MC: The best thing about motherhood is that my sense of purpose has changed and this has created a newfound passion and drive in me to succeed. That and waking up every morning to the sweetest little face.
BB: Fav Mom Tip?
MC: The best mom tip I can offer is to always listen to your heart. As mothers we always worry about our parenting skills and the choices we make. And everyone around us has very strong opinions about how we should feed, nurse, sleep, our babies. But I've learned the only thing that matters is if it feels good to me. My 16 month old sometimes stays up until 10 pm, he eats french fries and chocolate, and gasp, we co-sleep. But we are a very very happy little family!
Meet Emma Mcclean the mom behind Children of the Tribe, a stylish clothing label for free-spirited little people who love to roam in the sand dunes, daydream in treetops, and run barefoot through long grass.
BB: Current Obsessions?
EM: Although we're currently heading into our 'winter' (if you want to call it that here in sunny Byron!), I still never leave the home without my current must-have-daily-beach-session-obsessions: My felt Fallen Broken Street Hat Valley Sunnies (they're large enough to cover any evidence of a sleepless night and stylish enough to make any outfit look amazing!) My trusty new iPhone (for work on the GO!) Willow's coconut water (her obsession is my obsession! Whatever makes her happy, right?!!) Coco's new Rainbow Gardens Baby Wrap from our current collection- this print is so beautiful, colourful and distinctive plus I use the wrap as a pram cover, picnic blanket and even a cape when we are needing to get creative with little miss Willow!!
We are thrilled to introduce Kissmax, one of our new favorite Aussie brands and the man behind it all, Mike Blackwood. Check out our interview for a sneak peak inside the company. xx
Bikini Bird: Tell us about yourself and how Kissmax began?
Mike: Sure, so I live in Torquay Australia with my 3 kids Lottie, Lucy & Max. I’ve worked in the Surf Industry all my life. Was in the retail side for nearly 20 years then spent 15 years with Quiksilver/Roxy & Quiksilver Womens. I’d always wanted to do my own thing at some stage, so a couple of years ago things were all changing at Quik and the timing seemed right to take a leap of faith and go out on my own. The original concept (hatched 6 or 7 years earlier) was to have a traditional bricks & mortar retail store that just sold guys & girls basics. When it came time to actually do something and put together a business plan I decided to make it online based and the product line kept getting refined till it ended up with what we have today. The Little Black Bikini Collection for girls and a pair of Jeans, a short & a t-shirt for guys.
Bikini Bird:Your son Max plays a big role in your company’s philosophy, can you tell us a little more about it?
Mike: It’s a fusion of the KISS theory (Keep It Simple Stupid) and the organically simple philosophy of Max who has Down syndrome. Max doesn't need much to make him happy and he's way happier than most people I know. He doesn't waste time on things he doesn't need. He doesn't have stuff just for the sake of having stuff. His life is really …. Simple. So I thought it would be kind of neat to take that same thinking to the brand. We are running with the mantra of "Own Less Live More" which is probably a little weird when you are trying to sell things but that’s cool. Hey, at the end of the day, if you could only have 1 bikini, it would have to be a Little Black Bikini, wouldn’t it?????
Bikini Bird: What is it like being one of the few male designers in women’s swimwear?
Mike: I’m not sure that I’d call myself a designer (I actually think its a pretty over-used word!). I'm super lucky that I get to work with a couple from the Gold Coast, Carl & Gail Birch who started the Iconic Australian swimwear brand "Cheetah"back in the 80's. These 2 have probably forgotten more about swimwear than most people actually know. The way it works is that I come up with a bunch of ideas which generally consists of some terrible hand drawn sketches, a poorly written brief and a few conversations with lots of hand gestures (I'm waving my hands madly right now). From there, Gail weaves her magic and 1 or 2 samples later, we get our finished product. The process is really old school and really simple, no computers, lots of pins, pens and paper.
Bikini Bird:You’ve worked in the industry for decades, what is the most important thing you've learned?
Mike: It’s pretty simple really (kind of goes with the KISS ethos!) You must be passionate. If you don't love what you’re doing, go and find something you love and go and do that.
Bikini Bird: Your suits are simple and stylish, where do you find inspiration?
Mike: It comes from all over the place. Lots of years doing what I do helps. So does spending as much time at the beach and traveling as possible. Spending way too much time on social media. Plus I love taking some of those 80s swim shapes and making them relevant to now. It’s all about doing something Stylish, Sexy & Timeless.
Bikini Bird: What has been the biggest moment for Kissmax thus far?
Mike: Just launching the thing and seeing something that you've poured your heart and soul into turn into something that people actually love is pretty amazing.
Bikini Bird: What’s next for Kissmax?
Mike: There's a few new shapes that we have almost finished sampling that are looking great and we have a Limited Edition Lily White collection coming out in a few months that I'm really excited about.
Bikini Bird: What do you think the biggest trend is in swimwear for next year?
Mike: The Little Black Bikini. Remember - you heard it here :)
Bikini Bird: It’s really cool how you donate to an organization, can you explain more in detail?
Mike: There are so many organizations that do incredible work for people with disabilities that get little or no support from the government, so I figured anything we could do would be of some benefit. At the moment we are supporting Down Syndrome Swimming Australia.We've run a couple of different charity auctions KeepItSimpleSnaps (photos) & KeepItSimpleShapes (surfboards) where Photographers and Shapers donated framed photos and surfboards that we auctioned at events and on Ebay. In total, we’ve managed to raised nearly $10K. That makes me really proud and I’m stoked that so many people have helped us along the way to raise the funds needed. We have a few new ideas for this year and are also looking to partner up with an organization or foundation in America & Europe.
Bikini Bird: All your suits are black but what’s your favorite color?
Mike: It’s debatable whether Black & White are colours so I’m going to have to pick… Blue!
Bikini Bird:Could you tell us some of your favorite spots in Aus for our readers? (beach, bar, restaurant, shop etc.)
Mike: This is tough question, the entire coastline of Australia is one big beautiful beach but it’s pretty hard to go past Northern NSW – particularly the area around Byron Bay. The Great Ocean Road down in Victoria (where we are based) is one of the most spectacular coastal drives you can take in the world, with plenty of secluded beaches. For Shopping and eating I don’t think you can beat Melbourne. If you can’t get your fashion and food fix here, there’s something wrong.
For our pop up shop in Byron Bay, artist Peppa Hart has dropped off some beautiful framed pieces. We interviewed the talented Australian stylist and artist to see what makes her tick.
What inspires your subject matter?
Tropical destinations, travels, iconic places like the Beverly Hills Hotel, and we draw inspiration from fashion and trends we see coming through magazines and favourite blogs. We live a bright and beautiful lifestyle on the Gold Coast beaches and this definitely has a major influence over the vibe of all our pieces.
What medium are you using?
Watercolour and tonnes of Indian ink. We are also playing around with screen printing at the moment for more limited edition pieces.
You are a very multi-talented lady! Where does all this creativity come from?
I love so many things but it just comes down to working on projects I genuinely love, I love creating, so whether it's planning a wedding for a beautiful couple, styling someones home or creating art with my mum. It's what I love and I feel incredibly lucky that I get to make a living from this. I still have to pinch myself that I do not have to go to a corporate 9-5 everyday and work my butt off for someone else's dream. I worked for a professional football team for 4 years and I learnt so much but I also know how much I don't want to go back to working in the corporate world so I would do anything to make sure I can continue to work on my dreams. I also cannot sit still for too long, if I am not working on a million things at once I get bored.
Dream Destination?
My husband and I are happiest when we are travelling, we cannot get enough of it - but we have never been to the Maldives, it's on the dream list at the moment. Hoping we can get there next year to Sense hotel in the water bungalows. It really does look like my kind of heaven. I would also love to get to Morocco soon, my house is filled with Moroccan style floor cushions and rugs galore, would be so amazing to see all of the Moroccan goodness in real life and stay at the stunning El Fenn hotel in Marrakech. Maldives to Morocca, haha I like the sound of that....
What you would bring?
Zulu and Zephyr Bikini's
Stone Cold Fox Black One Piece + One of everything they create
BB: All of your collections, yet different are also very cohesive. What would you say is the main design theme you try and keep instilled in all of your pieces?
Madgi: Awareness. My aesthetic involves creating using crystals and stones that have been consciously mined. I spend great efforts to ensure the stones & metal I work with is not only of the highest quality but has been gently removed from the earth. Through out the years I have been connected with miners & suppliers that can tell me exactly where & even when the crystals were "birthed". This connection allows for a very pure foundation from which sacred designs can occur. My creations speak best from this space & my goal is always to allow the stone to shine from a some what simplistic settings.
BB: Many jewelry companies have lost the interest in using natural gems, crystals etc. from the planet in their jewelry, but you haven't. Why was this so important to you?
Madgi: I have been influenced by crystals on many levels and I can connect certain emotional charges to the crystals I wear. Science has recently proven what our ancient ancestors already have realized through personal experience over thousands of years. When a crystal is viewed under a microscope one can see the lattice is much more dense than our own and this formation allows for sun & cosmic light to be purified & energized in ways that benefit our own auric field. This information can be accessed by simply adorning yourself with beautiful earth made creations.
BB: Your collections all relate to this free spirited gypsy girl, do you consider yourself a gypsy girl?
Madgi: Sure! Traveling is my heart. I recommend a journey for every emotional ailment under the sun. No medicine is more powerful than perspective which channels gratitude . Travel allows you to see your life from another angle and this is a blessing. Plus the earth is a magical space that was created to be enjoyed & worshiped.
BB: What is your favorite piece of jewelry right now?
Madgi:Flower of Life & Medicine Wheel Cuff stacked. Although 2 very different patterns - the cuffs were designed to be worn together for the stones align when parallel.
Madgi's Favorites:
Beach Every beach is amazing in its own way- can't chose!
Cocktail I don't drink hard alcohol, This new wine called Zio Baffa is my favorite liquid indulgence!
Crystal Chrysoprase today but maybe smokey quartz tomorrow!
Vacation Spot Wow favorites are so hard for me! I'm a Pisces so always flowing but if I had to choose it would be Indonesia!
BIKINI BIRD: Acacia recently launched their 2015 Collection, Tauhani, and it was CRAY! Animal prints, nudes + mesh, and even cheekier cuts, everyone can't wait for Acacia's November launch. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this collection?
ACACIA: I am a sucker for classics, forever animal prints and nudes! And being from Hawaii its all about having a tropical inspired print. I have beautiful birds of paradise plants at my office that inspired our bird of paradise print. We also pulled inspiration from the sports world using a sporty oversized mesh for a sexy sporty new addition.
BB: What new styles are you most excited to launch from Tauhani?
A: I am most excited about our mesh pieces, our lingerie gone swim. And our Honolulu dress!
BB: You have both been in the swimwear for quite some time, how has the industry grown since your launch? Did you ever expect to be a leading brand in swim?
A: Yes we have grown every year. it is very exciting and we love our customers! Of course being a leading brand has always been a dream of ours and we are honored you are giving us that title. We are still growing each day and learning as we go.
BB: Acacia has always been a trendsetter and risk taker when it comes to styles and cuts. How do you ladies stay on top of the game?
A: We always have to think ahead. We are familiar with all of the trends but stay true to what we love and what is ACACIA.
BB: Any design regrets from past collections, and any styles you would love to bring back?
A: NO regrets we learn and grown from the past and I think our collections only get better with each year!
Naomi and Lyndie's Favorites
Go To Acacia Suit- Our new color block styles and the Napali top paired with the Pipeline bottom in Storm Mesh with nude lining
Cocktail- A good bloody Mary or a fresh lilikoi margarita
Dream Collab - collab possibilities are endless. I wouldn't even know where to start with my dream collab. We currently have a few collabs up our sleeve :) and excited to share those with you hopefully soon!
Images courtesy of Acacia. Campaign Images by Olive Malone
With ViX, you have introduced the Brazilian bikini to the world. Tell us about your journey of how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Brazil but moved to San Diego when I was 21 and have been here ever since. I fell in love with the laid-back beach culture and attitude - but I could never find a swimsuit I liked. Every time I went back to Brazil, I would stock up on bikinis and make little tweaks and changes here and there. Soon all my girlfriends were asking for bikinis just like mine - and that is how ViX was born. I went from customizing swimwear for my friends, to creating a global resortwear brand. I love that American women – and women from all over the world – are embracing Brazilians bikinis and cuts. In Brazil, going to the beach is way of life, a lifestyle, and that is spirit in which I design.
Who is the ViX woman?
The ViX woman appreciates quality, beauty and fit – and that is why she loves our suits. She follows fashion and knows the trends, but she does not live by them. She is confident, feminine, well-traveled and sophisticated. She appreciates the extra attention we pay to fit and to luxurious details such as high quality Lycra, 24-karat gold plated hardware and jewelry inspired details. Our resortwear suits her perfectly, because she can wear them poolside during the day, or in the evening for cocktails and dinner.
We absolutely love your Sofia collection. What brought you to create a second line?
Sofia, my daughter, inspired the collection. The Sofia girl is a perfect mix of my Brazilian heritage and my adopted Southern California lifestyle. The Sofia collection channels an adventurous and bohemian spirit - it’s mix and match and is in tune with seasonal trends. While Sofia has the trademark embellishments, prints, and fit that ViX is known for, we’ve introduced them in a more adventurous way with new cuts and fresh details.
Where can we see Vix and Sofia for 2015?
Although we started in swimwear, we now have evolved beyond the bikini. We will have more caftans, cover-ups, dresses and even rash guards, in addition to our classic swimwear. Due to high demand, we introduced our first High Summer season debuting this month on Bikini Bird! Our product offering will continue to evolve, this fall we will be introducing our first contemporary collection, Paula Hermanny.
Of all of your styles to choose from, what is your favorite go to look?
My favorite look has always been a great fitting white bikini and white sundress – it never goes out of style.
Paula's favorites:
Next vacation spot – Angra do Reis, Brazil
Sunscreen – Vertra
Cocktail- Champagne
Dream collaboration- Tom’s Shoes and Sofia by ViX. I admire Blake Mycoskie very much.
Model muse- Kate Moss embodies style and elegance in an effortless way. For swim, I love Isabeli Fontana.
We are thrilled to introduce AMUSE SOCIETY, one of our new favorite brands launching this coming November. Mandy Fry and Summer Rapp, the ladies behind the brand, gave us a little sneak peek into their new line. “AMUSE IS AN ARCHETYPE OF BEACH CHIC. A COLLECTION OF READY TO WEAR, BEACH KNITS AND BIKINIS THAT ARE UNDENIABLY BOLD AND REBELLIOUSLY SEXY. INSPIRED BY THE ART OF TRAVEL, THE PURSUIT OF JOURNEY AND THE SEXY APPEAL OF ALL THINGS BEACH. AMUSE IS A FRESH TAKE ON BEACH APPAREL THAT IS MORE FASHION THAN SURF, BUT TELLS A STORY ABOUT THE TWO. SHE’S A ROCK MUSE ON A BEACH HOLIDAY. BEACH VIDA BLING.”
Bikini Bird: Ladies, coming from such amazing backgrounds, and basically having shaped womenswear in the surf industry, what brought you to creating your own brand?
Amuse: Thank you! We were born entrepreneurs and realized it was finally time to embark on our own journey of creating a brand from the ground up. We both have worked really hard to get where we are in our careers. The natural next step for both of us was to start our own brand…That vulnerability you feel when you put everything out there for people to judge is both frightening and exciting. Most people wouldn’t have the confidence to do it. We both know that in order to be successful, you have to take a major risk like this…The real prize will be when this brand resonates on the consumer level…and we can look at each other and go, “we did this!”
BB: What’s your vibe for Amuse Society? Tell us about the Amuse girl.
A: Amuse is for the girl who has a boldness about her that is unmeasurable and pure irreverence in her blood. She’s the epitome of a rock muse on a beach holiday. Our vibe is a blend of all things beach combined with a rock and roll ethos. Swim wear and cover ups are our passion, so the line has a strong focus on both!
BB: We are so excited for your launch this coming November. What styles and trends should we look forward to see in your Spring 2015 collection?
A: Bold prints, black and white with pops of color and a look that we describe as “beach bling!”
BB: All of our readers want to know, what will you be debuting for swim?
A: A focused assortment of simple suits with a fashion edge. The prints are sophisticated and edgy and the over all vibe is really cool and sexy. We want to provide a high quality suit that is fun and priced well! Our point of view is different from the rest of action sports where we are bringing a line of swim that Is more fashion than surf, yet still functional. By design, that description is extremely vague. You will just have to hold out for all the details.
BB: We don’t know how you do it all, mothers, brand-owners, designers, etc. What advice can you give us on being superwomen?
A: It’s an emotional roller coaster to say the least….We have to constantly remind each other that balance is important. Thankfully, we lean on each other a ton! Not going to lie, we do feel superhuman at times. But it’s that strong desire to be efficient and qualitative at everything we do that keeps us going strong day in and day out. Our children are what motivates us because let’s face it, we are doing what we do so we can provide a strong foundation for them. We both believe that independence and confidence are the best qualities we can instill in our children, and I think by doing what we do, that we are illustrating just that. And, thank God for FaceTime…..where would we be without that!?
BB: Where do you hope to see the Amuse Society and yourselves five years from now?
A: We see the brand being well positioned in all the correct, quality stores, globally, and being very successful at sell through within these fashion and beach channels. Company owned e-commerce will be very important to the brand where we can tell our focused story and maintain strong margins. We also see the team being small and focused, always delivering a clear point of view on brand positioning, brand voice and product direction….and, this goes without saying, but a handful of our own stores are also a plan for the future.
BB: Tell us about your 2014 collection, where did you get your inspiration?
TP: A lot of my inspiration from this collection was from vintage clothing and prints. I was really feeling the 60′s and 70′s when designing and tried to incorporate that into the collection.
BB: We love your RTW line! What was it like moving from swim to clothing? Will we be seeing more ofthis in the future?
TP: Thank you! It was something I had been wanting to do for a long time. I always had a few pieces in the collection but it was never what i wanted it to be. I loved creating the RTW line and will be doing it again for sure!
BB: This past year was a very busy one for you- Baby Ryan, marrying Danny, and debuting your new collection. What is your advice for doing it all?
TP: This past year was the best year of my life but probably the most stressful. I became a mommy, a wife and still had to do my job and create a swimwear collection. It was tough to balance it all but I knew that it always works out in the end. I really feel like you just need to remember to take the time for yourself. Even if it was a long bubble bath or dinner with a girlfriend, taking a break and realizing how blessed I was (even though I was sleep deprived and stressed out) really kept me motivated.
BB: Modeling vs. Designing, would you be able to choose one?
TP: I love both! But would probably pick designing. All the travel with modeling gets exhausting and with designing, I get to be creative and I love bringing that out in myself.
BB: What are your three new years resolutions for 2014?
TP: Relax more, travel less, be the best mom I can be!
Getaway Favorites: Hotel The Ritz Carlton in Kapalua Maui Beach Ironwoods Beach Maui Restaurant Sansei Sushi on Maui Accessory Sunglasses Tori Praver Swimsuit Style The Classic Kalani
