I live for my annual beach vacation with my girls. We HATE the winter, so every year, we head to some tropical location in an effort to escape the miserable cold weather.

I swear, it feels like it goes on forever. The only thing getting me through the slushy puddles and dark mornings is the thought of being poolside, sipping on piña coladas and forgetting about the stress of everyday life back home… there's just one dilemma.

I have a love/hate relationship with swimwear -- when I find a bathing suit that fits me perfectly, it makes me feel like a goddess, but those are few and far between (and usually cost an arm and a leg). I find it really tricky to find a bikini or one piece that hugs my curves in the right spots, and any woman will tell you there's nothing worse than an ill-fitting bathing suit.

I usually wear a medium or large on the bottom, and a 34D on top. I kept finding a lot of bikinis that I liked online, but the retailer was selling them as a set, so it was impossible to get my sizes. Plus, most stores only carry a tiny amount of swimwear in the colder months, so my options were even more limited. After a week of looking online, my best friend, who has similar sizing problems recommended LIVELY, a line of lingerie and swimwear that is designed for real women.

I loved that on LIVELY's website, they had real women modeling the swimsuits. This instantly put me at ease, because every other site I looked on had retouched, size-zero models, making it hard to see what would fit my body type. I also loved that LIVELY takes the same approach to its swimwear as they do to their lingerie -- they offer a huge range of sizes and styles all designed to flatter a variety of body shapes, and all the bikini tops and bottoms can be bought separately (finally!).

Their size guide clearly tells you what size to order based off your bra size, and all of the styles and prints are adorable! I was a little nervous buying swimwear online without trying it on first, but the prices were so great, I decided to order one to see what the fit was like. My friend raves about her Busty Bralette, so I ordered the bikini version in Garden Print, with matching bottoms. I usually go for swimwear that has an underwire because I need the extra support, so I was intrigued to see what the wire-free bralette would feel like.

A few days later, my bikini arrived. I tried it on, and couldn't get over the fit of the top! It molded to my body perfectly, gave me a lift and just enough coverage, and the back wasn't too tight either, so there was no weird bulge.

I couldn't believe the lift I got without an underwire. The bottoms fit great, too -- super flattering without being too skimpy! The whole bikini set cost only $80 -- I've paid twice as much for bikinis that have made me feel half as confident.

Seriously, the material is so nice and well-made, it's well worth it. I immediately went online and ordered another bikini set, The Bandeau in Mint (ideal for sunbathing), as well as the Tank One Piece in a beautiful red color. I couldn't wait for Mexico!

We had a great week in Cabo, and my gal who recommended LIVELY ended up with the same Bandeau as me, but in Tomato Red -- we have some hilarious photos of our twinning moment! LIVELY swimwear is super comfy and flattering, I loved putting them on every day.

The fabric was stretchy and stayed in place even after a dip in the ocean. When I got back from my trip, I was so happy with the swimwear I decided to try out their bras and bralettes. LIVELY now supplies my everyday go-to bras -- who knew a size D could really find a cute bralette that fits?!