It's nothing short of a miracle. Only days after giving birth to a healthy 10 lb. baby girl, my cousin Cathy was back in front of the camera, strutting her stuff on the beautiful beaches of Provincetown, Massachusetts.
In a series of echt Forties swimsuit ensembles, our new mother turned heads as she frolicked along the shoreline, striking poses not seen since Moon Over Miami. And when this little mermaid hit the water, she really made waves!
Readers, I'd like to formally thank you for your patience: Cathy has been out of sight since April and I know it hasn't been easy for any of us. Now that baby Simplicity has arrived, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of her, especially when the nanny shows up.
Without further delay, I present our latest photo shoot, Cathy at the Beach.
As always, to see these photos full-size, please click any image and, in Picasa, choose the album name, and then, in the upper left hand corner, "Slideshow."
Which is your favorite of Cathy's three swimsuits? 1) the black and white one-piece, 2) the blue plaid two-piece, or 3) the (reverse-side) insect print?
Enjoy!
Do tell Cathy's secret to regaining her model figure so quickly after childbirth Peter - or will your cousin be writing a diet/lifestyle book full of tips for becoming a glamourous new mother perhaps :) ?
ReplyDeleteI love them all, but I am leaning towards the plaid. As an Australian growing up on the beach, one of the most important skills we learn as children is how to get changed under a towel in full view of everyone. I would be willing to give Cathy a lesson next time I'm in NY.
ReplyDeleteI love the black and white.
ReplyDeleteI suppose Cathy shaved her legs for the occasion. They look so smooth.
Beth
Oh, the black and white one-piece is the most fetching and feminine. It can't be good for that mother midriff to get all chilly in a bikini.
ReplyDeletebut the reversible bikini is in fact, very chic. I hope you didn't tell Cathy about the fabric. She doesn't look like the happy-to-be-seen-in-an-old-curtain type to me, upcycling or no upcycling. Dresses for orphans, maybe, but not beach glamour wear.
ReplyDeleteI like the black and white better... and my, hasn't Simplicity grown fast! ('Cause that's not a new baby!)
ReplyDeleteThat bobble trim reminds me of a swimsuit coverup/poncho my grandmother made for me in the 80s--polyester with blue and purple bobble trim!
Loved the plaid one.
ReplyDeleteYou are insane. I love this so much I'm tearing up a little. Just when I think it can't get any better... can't wait to see what's next.
ReplyDeleteNo pressure.
Loved the slideshow, and our fav is the plaid 2-piece also!
ReplyDelete(Theresa)
Cathy is truly stunning! And, you are not too bad either. Thank you for such a wonderful treat :-)
ReplyDeleteCathy got her frolic on at the beach!
ReplyDeleteHer beach cover-up is fetching and I want one. Tell her to store it somewhere safe from burglars.
This made my night. And my day. And my week. SO FABULOUS (I love Cathy's balls). I think I vote for the blue plaid. Brava!
ReplyDeleteIs Ellie the Frank Sinatra show girl still performing on the P-town pier?
ReplyDeleteThe suits and shoot are wonderful!
The plaid's my fav.
ReplyDeleteLoved the Elizabeth Taylor joke!!!
After a summer sans Cathy, her scrap book reveal is as refreshing as it is reassuring.
ReplyDeleteShe still sizzles!
I couldn't decide; her amazing abs had me mesmerized.
ReplyDeleteLove the matching turban.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous skin. Does a bikini proud. (Can I say that?)
I love the blue plaid two-piece number! I can hardly believe Cathy's hourglass shape stayed the same! :)
ReplyDeleteCan I just say you are an absolute joy, thank you for the laugh this morning!
ReplyDeleteWow! That woman is incredible, wearing a bikini so soon after the birth. The black and white gets my vote though as I love the whole ensemble. I cannot wait to see mother and daughter co-ordinated outfits! :)
Hilarious! Love it
ReplyDeleteBeing of a more modest persuasion - I loved the black and white one - but especially loved the hooded beach jacket. My Boston cousin, Stephanie, and her partner have a home in P-town. You didn't run into a retired public defender did you?
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Patti
I'm voting for the ex-curtain print side of the two-piece. Love it!
ReplyDeletePeter, you and Cathy (and I'm sure Michael as photographer) have outdone yourselves. I can't say that the wait from April to September was worth it, but you have really excelled. The more modest black and white is my favorite, but Cathy pulls off the two piece with much style and flair. How were the suits to swim in? Did they bag in the water? Simplicity is a perfect name for what I'm sure is a perfect baby. Thanks for starting my week out on a high note.
ReplyDeleteOh, if only I'd followed Cathy's maternity diet of doritos, donuts and diuretics, perhaps I'd be frolicking in a two-piece after my babies.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more of her and baby Simplicity (although I hope she doesn't presume that you and Michael will be on-call babysitters whenever she has a catalogue shoot to work on. Or the fleet is in.)
Cathy looks fantastic using all of the three bathing suits! Though my favorite one is definitely the blue plaid two-piece. Its color fits better to her skin and the sort of graphic effect of this checked fabric gives it a strong contrasting style that fits to Cathy personality.
ReplyDeleteCathy looks fantastic! I'm at the Jersey Shore as we speak and wish I looked half so stylish!
ReplyDeleteShe's Baaaack, and better than ever. Very fun read on a Monday!
ReplyDeleteOh Peter, you made my Monday so much better. How can one look at this slideshow and not smile? I am so envious of Cathy. I love all three bathing suits, as well as the cover-up, but I’m leaning towards the plaid. Cathy really looks spectacular in it. How did the bloomers under the one-piece work out while swimming? I’m wondering if they filled up with water.
ReplyDeleteExtra points for all that shaving.
Let's just say it was a lot like swimming with your clothes on, though lighter than cement shoes.
DeleteNot even a single stretch mark, amazing!
ReplyDeleteI like the black flowery suit the best, it looks great with the matchy lined jacket. I also admire her big smile, so much nicer than those stone faced models you talked about earlier.
So pleased you have listened to one of your earlier commenters and put darling Simplicity on her back. How blessed she is to have a legion of opinionated aunties!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is your best ever. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOhh what fun it was to see, it was a great photo shoot seeing all the bathing suit you made Peter, that cover up with the matching suit is devine, you may have a something going on there.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your sewing skills! Cathy is the perfect model to show off all of your talent. It is so hard to choose - but I am leaning toward the plaid - I love the turban- my second favorite is the insect print - absolutely nothing wrong with re-purposing material. I have been sewing for 45 years (since I was 14 omg) and I am not sure I would have wanted to try the reversible suit - it can be such a pain. Very impressive! I loved using vintage patterns for my daughter when she was little (now 32.) Thank you, thank you, for your blog - you scored a hit again. I have been going through a rough time so it is great to have something you can laugh about! Loved the giving birth picture and Liz joke.
ReplyDeleteBathing beauty galore. I'm going to swim with the school here and say that the plaid is best. I do love the stripy cover-up, too. Thank you for another happy adventure. I'm feeling Cathy's joie de vivre.
ReplyDeleteWhat did ever happen to Totie Fields!?
ReplyDeleteDeath.
DeleteOh my goodness – your slideshow had me laughing so hard I was snorting (not very ladylike, to be sure, but I just couldn’t help myself)!! I sure hope that Cathy knows how lucky she is to have her own personal tailor, although I would imagine that she expects everyone around to cater to her every whim.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite ensemble would have to be the blue, complete with turban, shades, and martini glass! Fabulous work!
If I can make you snort, Laura Mae, my life is complete! ;)
DeleteI just found your blog - I'm in love with that plaid swimsuit. You have me searching for a pattern :)!
ReplyDelete