Just got back from a long weekend in Port Aransas, Texas - part of a little island off of Corpus Christi that is known for its fishing and spring break scene. It was no Hampton’s, and I can’t say I’m impressed with the town - think Jersey shore - but because there was so little to do that interested me and my beau, we actually got to relax. So, as there was little to appreciate in any type of creative scene, we spent about an hour hunting for the gallery scene Google lied to us about, and instead gave up and decided to have Dos Equis instead. After that much needed lapse of time, I was able to stumble upon the one diamond in the rough boutique in the city - Ragdoll. The merchandise mix was impressive for Port Aransas - the owner was knowledgeable about her pieces - I tried on a pair of graphic shorts from a Kenyan designer - and ended up discovering the eclectic, adorable and forward swimwear line Maaji.

At first Maaji seems something very Brazilian, but with definite Bollywood notes. The attention to detail was what first got me - the polka dot ruffled bandeau top has a sweet metallic lasercut eyelet detailing on the sides, in royal blue with a magenta back tie. The other piece I actually got to touch and drool over in person was the one piece cross between leopard and rose print with endless ruffle detailing (Dezert one piece). The price point is high - but not too high - especially for those of us in a climate where you actually utilize a suit more than a few times a year. I just loved that there was so much going on, so much novelty, like swim couture. It was like an entire outfit in one or two pieces of Lycra. My big question is how Victoria’s Secret hasn’t bought any? This line is so impressive, I’m not sure why I had to go to an island off of Texas to find it.

Mosaique bandeau $142

Dezert one piece $138

Dezert Plaid $120