A Fleurville sling tote launched my diaper bag collection, and now I’m a huge fan of the company’s products. I have several of their diaper bags, a wallet, and my daughter has one of their kids’ messenger bags. So, I was pretty excited to discover that they make a fun beach bag. This environmentally-friendly bag is roomy enough to carry all of your beach or pool essentials, and its padded loop handles make lugging everything around a breeze. When you aren’t headed out to swim, this bag doubles as a nifty (and hip) shopping bag. Best of all, it has recently been discounted from $70 to $50. You can purchase one at fleurville.com.

If you are looking for an attractive and not-so-revealing maternity bathing suit, you might want to check out this Goddess suit from Nicole Michelle Maternity. Available in either white or black, this two-piece suit provides full coverage and looks great. My only concern is that that flowing material might get a little cumbersome if you actually get in the water. You can purchase one for $138 at EvaLillian.com.

I’m always a sucker for mermaid-themed clothes for my girls. They bring back fond memories of my 80’s childhood and my favorite Sea Wee dolls. This embellished Musical Mermaid Swimsuit by Rhonda Sutton is one of the cuter mermaid items I’ve seen recently. I love the intricacies of the design–from the shimmering fins to the detailed instruments the mermaids are playing. This suit is available in sizes from 2T to 6X and retails for $41. You can order one at MyPrincessCloset.com.

It’s a bone of contention in our house that I won’t let my girls wear flip flops. While I can appreciate some aspects of that summer favorite, I just don’t feel like my girls’ feet are safe in them. I like these sandals from bathing suit favorite Kate Mack because they incorporate the practical elements of flip flops–easy to get on and off, water proof, etc., with safety features such as an ankle strap. They are pretty darn cute, too. Whether they are paired with a coordinating Kate Mack bathing suit or with shorts and a tee shirt, these are sure to be a hit with moms and kids alike. You can purchase a pair for $26 at bestdressedkids.com.

I feel like our family’s swimming season is just getting under way, but already many of the major clothing companies are closing out their bathing suits. There are a lot of sales on high end items that you might not normally consider. This sweet little bathing suit from Best & Co. (a favorite with celebrity parents such as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) is one such item. Although it originally retailed for $70, you can purchase one now for $34.90–still pricey, but not out of line with more mainstream brands like Gymboree. It definitely has a distinct and upscale look about it. You can check it out at BestAndCompany.com. It is available in sizes 4-12.

If you love the fun designs by Paul Frank and Small Paul, but aren’t keen on paying retail, you might want to check out the deals on overstock.com. Currently this fun pink suit featuring Julius the Monkey is on sale for $21.99 which is less than half price and not much more than you would pay for a discount store suit. You can check it (and several other Small Paul suits) out at Overstock.com.

I’ve been a regular user of disposable swim diapers with all of my girls. Not only do I feel guilty about adding even more diapers to landfills, but I really don’t have confidence in them, even though they are “pool approved” everywhere we go. I find it suspicious that they remain very flat even after much swimming. I’d think that if diaper technology had really advanced that far, there would be no need to regular diapers to swell so immensely with size…

So, I’ve been on the lookout for a reliable, reusable, swim diaper for my infant. I am currently leaning toward this Sun Smarties model. It is made of soft microfiber with a  terry liner. They are available in several colors and can be purchased for $12.95 each at onestepahead.com. I’m hoping this will take a little of the worry out of my summer!

Here’s a fun beach towel that is the perfect size for infants and toddlers. Made by Pottery Barn Kids, it features a great fish print that works well for both boys and girls. Velour on one side and looped terry on the other, this towel is luxuriously soft and absorbent. The bold colors will definitely stand out at the pool or beach. You can purchase one for $16 at potterybarnkids.com. Have it personalized for an additional $6.50. Your little one can continue to use it for bath time fun even when the warm weather ends.

When it comes to water shoes, our family is divided. Half us us wear KEENS, the other half Tevas. Tevas became popular late in my high school days, but somehow I have never owned a pair (well, except for a pair of their hybrid sneakers). In general, I’m just not much of a sandal person, so I don’t tend to buy them for my kids. My partner, on the other hand, lives in them in the summer, and his kids have grown to love them too.

I have to say that they are growing on me because they are so practical (fast-drying, easy to clean). The appearance has grown on me a bit too, with the appearance of fun patterns like this bright red and yellow Daisy print. This particular pair comes in kids sizes and retails for $32.50. You can purchase them at tinysoles.com.

I don’t think I can justify buying another swimsuit for any of my girls this year, but this adorable daisy suit from Janie and Jack sure is tempting. I love the combination of old fashioned styling with a little modern flair. It is just slightly over the top, but not so much so that it crosses the line into tacky. It is available in sizes from 0-3 months up to 8 years and retails for $30 you can purchase one at JanieandJack.com

It’s Memorial Day weekend, and that means  the much anticipated first trip to the swimming pool for many of us.  While I didn’t enjoy getting my post baby body back into a bathing suit, I was excited to deck my little ones out in the matching Baby Lulu suits I bought on sale this winter. They looked great, and had a lot of fun splashing around.

While my girls are wearing suits from older collections, the looks are similar to these suits from the more recent Round Flower line. I love the one piece on my three year old, and my baby has a two piece in the same print. These suits are very soft. They have much more of a fabric feel than most bathing suits, which is a definite plus in my book. I love the fun, feminine, but always modest cut as well. These are upscale all the way.

You can purchase either version of the suit for under $40 at babylulu.com. We also love the floppy matching cotton hats to protect heads and eyes from the sun.

If you are looking for a bathing suit for a baby girl, this Tahitian Dot one piece from Flap Happy is a great option. I love the bold combination of dots and stripes. It even comes with a built in swim diaper to make getting ready for the pool or a beach a little bit easier. I think this would look great on a chubby little baby just starting to sit up or toddle. You can purchase one for $36 at forgetmenotkids.com. It is available in sizes from 6-24 months.

I’m never so fortunate as to find a two-piece bathing suit that fits my wildly disproportionate body. When I saw this gorgeous nursing suit from Belabumbum, I so wished I was built a bit differently. I love the brilliant red color, and the bow under the breasts is very flattering to a nursing body. The long, A-line top is very forgiving of a little leftover baby belly, too. You can purchase one of these suits for $108 at picklesandicecream.com. The shop warns that it runs small, so be prepared to swallow your pride and order a size up!

Here is a way to bring a whole new level of fun to bath or pool time. These Monster Towels from Yikestwins are as cute as can be. They are designed for kids from 2-8, and cut generously, so you will get a lot of use out each towel. They are made from 100% cotton, so they are super-cozy, and they absorb water well. We have some similar animal towels that are a favorite at our house, but these are far cuter. You can purchase one for $38 at ittikid.com. One of these would make a fun gift too.

Kate Mack is one of the biggest names in swimwear for little girls. One look at their fun collection will explain why. This Patchwork Picnic suit is a perfect example of their style. I love the bright red color. It is sweet and feminine, yet a nice departure from pink. The ruffles and trim are great.  There is just so much attention to detail on this sweet little suit, and I like that it provides full coverage. It makes me wish  our closets weren’t already stocked with swimsuits! If your little one is in need of a suit for summer, you can purchase one of these for $44 at forgetmenotkids.com. It is available in sizes from 12mos to 4T.