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More swim dresses for the littles are available for pre-order now! Miriam has been a best seller for years. This adorable swimsuit provides wonderful coverage and has separate bottoms for easy bathroom breaks. Now available in new colors/prints in sizes 8-14. Pre-order Miriam for your little one today.

We receive messages quite often about copycat websites selling our designs. Buyer beware: these are NOT Jessica Rey swimsuits and may cause disappointment. Read the following email we got this week:

We've warned about these fraudulent sites before, but this email prompted us to send another reminder out to our customers. The messages we've received in the past claim that the copycat sites:

• sell poor quality swimsuits
• do not use ethical manufacturing
• sometimes do not ship product
• do not respond to refund requests

Save yourself from disappointment and shop 100% authentic Jessica Rey swimsuits from our website. We do not sell on any other websites!

The Timeless Beauty of Blue Azulejos Tiles in Portugal

I had the opportunity to take my daughter with me to Portugal this past summer and we were absolutely enamored by the gorgeous azulejos tiles that the country is famous for. They were everywhere- outside and inside of churches, at the train station, restaurants, hotels, and even on the sidewalks. We took a wonderful tile painting class with Domus Arte in Porto and learned all about the history of azulejos.

Azulejos, the iconic blue ceramic tiles that adorn the buildings of Portugal, have a history as rich and diverse as the patterns that grace the facades of the country's structures. Originating from the Arabic word "az-zulayj," meaning "polished stone," these tiles have been an integral part of Portuguese culture since the 15th century. Introduced by the Moors, azulejos initially drew inspiration from Islamic geometric patterns. Over the centuries, they evolved, incorporating influences from various cultures, and became a distinctive feature of Portuguese architecture. With vibrant colors, intricate designs, and a dedication to craftsmanship, azulejos tell the story of Portugal's artistic and cultural evolution.

Where to Encounter the Best Azulejos in Porto and Lisbon

To truly appreciate the mesmerizing beauty of blue azulejos, one must embark on a journey through the streets of Porto and Lisbon, where some of the finest examples of these tiles can be found. In Porto, our favorites were Igreja do Carmo and São Bento Railway Station (a testament to the grandeur of azulejos. Its walls are adorned with over 20,000 hand-painted tiles, illustrating scenes from Portugal's history, rural life, and transportation). 

Lisbon, the capital city, is another treasure trove of azulejo wonders. The National Azulejo Museum showcases an extensive collection that spans several centuries, providing insight into the evolution of this traditional art form. One cannot miss the façade of the Church of São Vicente de Fora, where blue azulejos depict biblical scenes and historical events. Wander through the Alfama district, and you'll discover charming corners adorned with these stunning tiles, turning an ordinary stroll into a cultural immersion.

For a more immersive experience, visit the Convent of Christ in Tomar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where azulejos narrate tales of Portugal's maritime history. The Capela das Almas in Porto is another hidden gem, where a small chapel is entirely covered in blue azulejos, creating an ethereal atmosphere that captivates visitors.

When I told my daughter that I wanted to create a print inspired by the azulejos that we saw in Portugal, she got to work right away to help me. She's a true artist! Here she is in front of the Igreja do Carmo in Porto, finishing a piece she started on the airplane. 

Coming soon, our newest print "Azul" will be available in the Marie swim dress and. Elizabeth tankini top. Stay tuned!

If you follow me on Instagram, then you already know all about my love for Croatia. It is an absolutely stunning country full of natural beauty, delicious food, and some of the kindest people you will ever meet. Croatia is the perfect destination for a family-friendly vacation and I definitely recommend you add it to your bucket list. In the past three years, we have traveled throughout almost the entire country, so I'm going to write about each area in separate blog posts. Today, I'm featuring Šibenik.

History

Šibenik was first mentioned in history in the 11th century, but evidence shows that humans had been there since the Neolithic period. The city has been ruled by Hungarian-Croatians, Byzantines, and Venetians. It is the oldest city along the Dalmatian coast and one of the only cities in the world with two World Heritage UNESCO sites (fortress of St. Nicholas and St James Cathedral). It was also one of the first Dalmatian towns to have electricity (from the Krka waterfalls). 

We loved wandering throughout the old town while we learned about the city's history with our guide, Sandra.  A walking tour is the perfect way to learn about Šibenik-- we got all the tips on where to eat and how to spend our week. The tour ended with a wine and charcuterie tasting with yummy locally made wines and food + a view of the sunset.

If you want to learn more about the history of Šibenik, the interpretation center of St. James Cathedral is a fun place to explore- full of artifacts, paintings, a short film that made me cry, and even video games. 

Sea

The sea surrounding Šibenik is crystal clear and perfect for swimming. We took a half day tour to three islands-- Zlarin, Privic and Tijat. Zlarin is known for it's beautiful red coral-- you can visit the museum on the island. Privic has one of the prettiest beaches we have seen in Croatia. And Tijat was the best place to end the tour-- an uninhabited island where we swam and enjoyed the views while treating ourselves to afternoon ice cream and coffee. 

If you are a seafood lover, you can't miss the panoramic boat tour in St. Anthony's canal, complete with champagne and oyster/mussels tasting. Croatia is known for it's fresh and delicious seafood and it doesn't get any fresher than this! We enjoyed tasting these delicacies straight out of the Adriatic Sea and then cruising past St. Nicholas fortress.

Krka

You cannot visit Šibenik without a trip to Krka national park. As it can get quite crowded, we suggest booking a private van to take you straight to the entrance without having to park a car and wait in line for the shuttle buses. Krka is full of natural beauty and waterfalls- the biggest being Skradinski Buk. It's a fairly easy hike and the kids had fun spotting all of the birds, insects, and frogs along the way.

We ordered lunch here and then found a quiet spot to picnic near the waterfall and away from the restaurant crowds. 

If you're looking for a place to stay, Visit Šibenik has the perfect apartment rental across the street from the old town-- it was away from the hustle and bustle and we only had to cross the street to explore. Bonus: there is a coffee shop right outside the front door, so you don't have to go far for your morning caffeine fix. 

We've now visited Šibenik twice and will certainly be back on another trip. It's a great home base to see Krka, Plitvice, Kornati, and even Split is only one hour away. Buon viaggio!

These customers favorites are back! Being a small batch manufacturer means that we try our best to gauge demand and produce only what is going to sell. This helps us to reduce waste in the environment and ensures that we aren't throwing away inventory that doesn't move (or sending it off to third world countries like many other brands do). Thank you for joining our 'back in stock' wait lists and helping us to better know what you want!

"A major current throughout the bikini trends to try in 2023 is skin. Across the board, swimsuits this year are smaller than ever. Bottoms are cheekier, triangle tops have shrunken down to minute proportions, and underboob seems to have become an inevitability." ~InStyle Magazine

When I started this company 15 years ago, the trend was tiny-- and each year, it got tinier and tinier. I didn't want to follow the trend back then, so I designed my own swimsuit. And if you don't want to follow the trends either, you're in the right place! Our company was born out of the lack of fuller-coverage swimwear that is also beautiful and flattering. Nothing like this existed in 2008 when we first began. So if you're not into showing underboob with cheeky bottoms, we're glad you found us! We've got you covered 😉

We're so flattered to be featured on The Good Trade again this year. They curate content on ethical and sustainable brands and only feature brand that they have researched, tested, and genuinely love. We're truly grateful to be on this list once again!