Rip Curl summer wetsuit // The review

A couple of months ago I received a package from Rip Curl Europe full of salty goodies that every beach junkie like me would have started jumping for joy. And so I did! :)

Between all the beautiful treats from this summer collection, there was also the amazing G-Bomb you can see in the pics. 1mm black neoprene, it is classy just like I want to look like while in the water and sexy enough to make me feel the beauty in the lineup without giving other guys too much distraction from the waves.

Anyways, this was a few months ago, while the water here in France was still too chill to deep our cheeks in. But now the summer sun-rays have given the ocean the right warmth to make me want to rip off my full-wetsuit and show the whole world my white legs!

I can finally surf with my new G-Bomb and I decided to share with you my full review. So, if some of you are confused about the pros and cons of surfing with this teeny weeny summer wetsuit, here I am to solve any doubts of yours.

Talking about the aesthetic features, when you tell me black and classy I'm totally sold! I am a sucker for sober and not-too-flashy wetsuit, so that when I had a look at the G-Bomb I was suddenly in love. I questioned about the cheeky cut, but I soon realized there was nothing to worry about. I understand that some of you can feel uncomfortable showing some skin, but at the same time this wetsuit gives enough coverage not to reveal what should stay a mystery. Bikini wax needed, tough!

If the aesthetic level plays a strong role when buying a wetsuit, one of the most important aspects of a technical garment is its functionality. If a wetsuit or a surf bikini is not practical enough to make me enjoy my time in the water, I soon change model/brand and don't buy it any more.
So, the first thought I had while putting it on was "please don't show everything up!". But in the water I just loved how it was fitting like a second skin to me and, really, it doesn't matter how many wipe outs - it doesn't move at all. And this was a really important point to me.
I had some troubles putting it on at the beginning, due to the front zip, and struggled to roll it over my hips and butt (now we know where all those carbs went!). But over the time it became easier and now it fits like a glove.

As you could imagine, Atlantic waters here in France are chilly all year long. Apart from some months during the summer season, in which you can finally put away your full wetsuit, you need a thick neoprene protecting you.
So, if you love the Bombshell as much as I do but you don't live in a tropical island, you have to be prepared to the fact that you can only wear it for a short period of time. Or you can book a flight and spend the colder months somewhere with warm water and palmtrees. I totally approve the second option ;)

Another important point everyone should know about is that surfing with a short legs wetsuit, with a bikini or with everything that shows off your legs expose them to bruises and skin rashes, due to the friction with your board's wax. This happens with every kind of brand and model, so it is not to be included as part of this review. Anyways, I though you should consider it.
I decided it is a price I am willing to pay for surfing with my legs free from neoprene!!

Summing it all up:
PROS: sober and classic style, shows some skin but gives enough coverage, practical and stays in place, fits like a glove

CONS: the thin neoprene doesn't protect from the cold in chilly waters, a bit stiff to put on the first times

Overall I am a huge fan of this wetsuit and I am really hoping to be wearing it all summer long.

I hope this little review solved some of your doubts and made your choice of a summer wetsuit a bit easier.
Please let me know if you have questions or tips to share!
xo

Thank you Rip Curl Europe for the amazing wetsuit!

Celebrate summer

Today I am feeling so grateful for this life of mine. The sun is shining and fills me up with vitamin D. My mood is rising to the stars and I just want to dance in the sand.

It's crazy how a season can change how you feel inside and out.

So, today I want to celebrate summer! I want to move to the rhythm of the waves and jump to the sky. I want to light a bonfire and picnic on the beach. Sandy toes, messy hair, hands in the air...

It's summer and it feels so good!

What are you doing to celebrate summer?

I wish you all an amazing weekend!

When on a Summer's Morn

William Henry Davies

When on a summer's morn I wake, 

And open my two eyes, 

Out to the clear, born-singing rills 

My bird-like spirit flies.

To hear the Blackbird, Cuckoo, Thrush, 

Or any bird in song; 

And common leaves that hum all day 

Without a throat or tongue.

And when Time strikes the hour for sleep, 

Back in my room alone, 

My heart has many a sweet bird's song - 

And one that's all my own.

ps: If some of you are wondering, my bikini is from Rip Curl's Summer 2015 collection. You can grab it here ;)

Getting ready for summer // What's in my bag

With the warmer weather and the summer season knocking at our doors, we are always looking forward to our free time for running at the closest beach. I love lying in the sand and just do nothing but listen to the sound of the roaring ocean.

My only problem is I always tend to bring too much stuff with me so that as soon as I get at the beach I'm already sweating and my shoulder hurts behind the weight of my bag.

So, today I'll share my top 5 items to bring at the beach, with the hope to stick with just the five of them next time I decide to go lay in the sand.

This post is sponsored by Rip Curl. The brand created such a feminine yet functional collection for this summer. I hope you all enjoy it!

1. THE BAG - You always need a capacious bag. I know I said I'll try to limit the things I bring with me, but how can you resist to a bag in which you can really fit anything (or almost)? This one in particular is fun and has such a summer vibe that catches you even in the most cloudy days (hello Biarritz!!).

2. THE SUNSCREEN - When we chill in the sun we don't always realize we are risking our own health. UV rays are a real danger for our skin - all types of skin! Since we don't want to run to the ER with deep burnt all over or even get a cancer that will mark our lives forever, we better protect ourselves with a thick layer of sunscreen. I personally love P20, especially for surfing, as it lasts up to 80 minutes in the water!!! You can learn more about P20 here. More and more brands have also developed eco-friendly formulas, so you can enjoy your time under the sun while protecting the environment. 

3. THE BIKINI - For this season all swimwear brands definitely outdid themselves! Colorful and tropical prints everywhere, body-fitting shapes, unique cuts... They make you wish it was summer all year long! And this bikini by Rip Curl is no exception! I love how beautiful and girly it makes me feel every time I dip my toes in the sand.

4. THE SUNNIES - I love sunglasses, I really do. I used to buy a lot from cheap stores and change them matching my outfits. But then I found this pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer and never wore another one. I also became aware of the damages of sun rays to our eyes and eyesight, so that good lens can definitely make a change. I've been owning the same pair for about five years now and they're almost perfect! So, spending a little more money in the end was worthwhile both for my health and for the quality of the product.

5. THE BEACH TOWEL - I love lying freely on the warm white sand and take advantage of the natural scrub... But sometimes this is not always a good idea. Especially after a dip in the ocean! ;) This beach towel is super soft, you'll find yourself rolling in it during the noon siesta at home too! It's a bit difficult to change in it when putting on the wetsuit for a quick session, but we can always do the mother-naked style, right? ;)

What about you? Do you have particular items you can't do without for a day at the beach?

I wish you all a sandy sunny week!
xo

Credits // Author // Photography: Marta Tomasini, bag, bikini and towel Rip Curl

First days of summer (maybe)

If you didn't know it yet, here on the Basque coast of France the weather is not really stable. That means you can often experiment a four seasons change within just one day. I became "the queen of layering" and I'm ready to face warm winters as freezing cold springs or even rainy summers. Not without a bit of exhaustion and break down moments.

That being said, last weekend we had a two days south wind, peeling waves, sunny landscapes and sweaty temperatures. Summer was finally here!

Since I wasn't sure on how long it would have lasted for, I grabbed my newest Rip Curl bikini and wore it all weekend long.

The best idea ever.

Cheers to summer!

Credits // Author: Marta Tomasini, bikini c/o Rip Curl Europe