ContestsEvents

Southwest Florida Beaches Are Full Of Pink And Paisley

Girl in Pink Bikini mixing a cocktail in a pool

If you are headed to the beach this weekend but need a new swimsuit you've got to read this. Especially if you want to keep up with the trends. Southwest Florida beaches are full of pink and paisley thanks to a new Barbie inspired fashion trend. The Barbie movie has been killing it at the box office, hanging in at number one for weeks. Fashionistas can't get enough of Barbie's wardrobe or should I say wardrobes.

The fashion experts at BooHoo were so fascinated with this "fascination" that they did a little research. They used google analytics to find the swimwear styles that are trending this summer. First, they found what has been obvious in almost every area of fashion, home decor, cocktails, etc. Pink is THE color of the moment.

A perfect Barbie bikini. This one debuted at the Agatha Ruiz De La Prada show at Miami Fashion Week a couple of years ago.

Pink and paisley fashion trend

The search for pink bikini's is up 55% worldwide. Don't forget the shoes. Searches for pink sandals is up are up 49%. Not all pink is created equal. If you don't think it is your color, perhaps you have not found the right shade. We have a guide here to help you navigate the color spectrum.

Patterns are hot too. Searches for paisley swimsuits are up a whopping 159%. Additional trending patterns, thanks to the Barbie movie are black and white strips, tie die, and finally, floral. As far as styles go, bikini's are always hot. However, one shoulder swimsuits are also trending according to this report. They are more stable if you like water sports. They also transition well to brunch or lunch when slipping on a flowing skirt and sandals, wedges or heels. Have fun with beach fashion this weekend in Southwest Florida, or wherever you might be traveling.

Florida Destination Tops List Of Least Expensive Beach Towns In The US

We all know that vacations can be expensive, but one Florida destination tops a list of the least expensive beach towns in the US.

We're so lucky, living in Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Cape Coral, to live in a place where other people vacation. Having an endless summer and year-round activities is a major draw for people to come visit at any time during the year. Vacations can add up though, and staycations aren't always very budget-friendly either. And while we think that Florida with it's breathtaking sunsets and beach views can be expensive, and while there are some pricy beach towns in The Sunshine State, there's one town that's very affordable.

Upgraded Points put together a list of the most expensive and least expensive beach towns in the US. They looked at the average cost of nightly and weekly stays in beachfront hotels and vacation homes in 75 popular beach towns.

So where in Florida is the cheapest?

Cedar Key in Levy County in the Northwest part of the state has the cheapest hotels and rental houses. You're right on the Gulf and for a night's stay in a hotel, the average cost is $191 while the average for a night's stay in a rental home is $189. So about $1,330 per week when the average across the US is $3,353. Talk about a good deal! And it's a laid back spot with plenty of fishing and great local seafood.

The top 5 most expensive beach towns include Montauk, Southampton and East Hampton all in New York, Malibu, CA and Folly Beach, SC.

Top 5 Least Expensive Beach Towns in the US:

5. Galveston, TX

The average cost per night for a hotel is $233. A vacation rental will run you about $355.

(Photo by Callaghan O'Hare/Getty Images)

4. Port Aransas, TX

The average cost per night for a hotel is $135. A vacation rental will cost you about $450.

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

3. Ocean Shores, WA

The average cost per night for a hotel is $225. A vacation rental will run you about $345.

(Photo by Allison Shelley/Getty Images)

2. Ocean Springs, MS

The average cost per night for a hotel is $144. A vacation rental will cost about $282.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

1. Cedar Key, FL

The average cost per night for a hotel is $189. A vacation rental will cost you about $191.

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.