"October 22, 2006 — Meet America’s hardest-working beauty queens – Middle American pageant veterans living in New York City rent free in exchange for hustling cocktails in their bikinis at a Times Square hot spot.

For the young beauties, it’s a shot at becoming a top model.

For the customers, it’s wall-to-wall lovelies who can juggle drinks and dinner orders while looking gorgeous.

Owners of the Hawaiian Tropic Zone, an 800-person-capacity restaurant that just opened on 49th Street, recruited ambitious women from pageant competitions across America as its first wave of bikini-clad employees. Those women have since been joined by 82 local waitresses.

The out-of-towners live in a dorm-like apartment on the Upper East Side – it’s "The Real World" meets "Gidget."

The models live with eight other recruits in two three-bedroom pads in an eight-story walkup on the Upper East Side owned by Dennis Riese, who owns the Hawaiian Tropic Zone with PM nightclub honcho Adam Hock.

Under the terms of their Hawaiian Tropic Zone deals, the models live rent free for six months, pay $200 for the seventh month, $400 the eighth and $600 a month until they leave. They also get discounted gym memberships and tanning, because they’re required to take part in both.

In return, they weave in and out between crowded tables as waitresses for the restaurant, welcoming guests, serving drinks and taking dinner orders while wearing Nicole Miller bikinis.

Every night is a beauty pageant. The waitresses strut their stuff twice a shift in front of the usual crowd of suit-clad bankers and brokers who quiet down and cast their paper ballots for the hottie they most admire.

The pageant winner gets a $100 bonus on top of $100 for each eight-hour shift and tips as high as $100 per table.

But the guys "are never inappropriate or touchy-feely" Johnson said. "Mostly, they just ask to take pictures with us."

When they aren’t working, "we like to stay in a lot," Johnson said. "But when we do go out, we respect each other. That means no boys come back with us."

marina.vataj@nypost.com"

Tags: nicole miller, bikini, server’s in bikinis, fashsion show, resturant, new york

This very expensive bikini is a UV Smart Bikini featuring a "smart fabric UV Meter" that’s  built right into the suit (the belt, which is detachable as well). It’s all waterproof, of course, and even safe in chlorine.

Basically it gives you a UV reading:

The UV Index indicates the strength of the UV intensity. The higher the number, the stronger UV intensity, and the shorter the time for damage to your eyes and skin. In general the risk to your skin depends on your skin type, weather and geographic location. Our UV Chart gives an outline of ray intensity and protective suggestion, and average number of minutes to sunburn.

Tags: bikini, bathingsuit, UV, sun, exposure, gadgets

Polka dots are making a sure comeback this season, and white is still an in color. I’d never wear it, though. I love that browns are still in style, as I think they’re great in swimwear.

Via celeb world ; Tags: sports illustrated, swimsuit edition, magazine, swimsuit, maria Sharapova

This is very exotic, but not in the traditional exotic way. You know, how most “exotic” means palm fronds or flowers. Not this one. This is a great print!

The top features a push-up triangle cut (neck tie), with removable push-up padding and underwire. It’s shown here with the sarong, and we know sarongs are great.

Color/pattern shown is black gypsy floral.

Miracle Bra Swimwear

Tags: victoria’s+secret, sarong, bikini, push-up, swimwear, swimsuit

Moontide reversible soft(non wired) bikini top in two colourways. Olive/Petal Pink or Cocoa/ Coral allows you to wear either colour to the outside to ring the changes and get maximum value from your beachwear.

Halterneck bikini top with knotted effect tie front and with tie back also gives greater flexibility for sizing, allowing you to tighten or loosen the tie up at the back. Match up with either a tie pant, or normal pant, skirt with side buckle, or plain sarong.. have fun mixing and matching your colourways for a combination of great looks on the beach this season.

This is a very inventive use of the halter top.

Available from Heavenly Lingerie

Technorati Tags: swimwear, swimsuits, bikini, halter,

The suit takes the idea of body art and puts it onto the bathingsuit. Kind of like henna tattoo styles, but really well done. The design is of a butterfly and rose, both on the front and back.

The top ties at the neck and back – ties are so elegant!
Great bikini from Victoria’s Secret.

And they were definitely right to pair it with a model with a belly button piercing. Spot on for the right attitude.

Technorati Tags: victorias secret, bikini, tattoo, tankini, halter, low rise, purple, henna, butterfly, rose, large breasts, summer, swimwear

Now, here’s something useful. The Water-Cooled Bikini – guaranteed to keep the wearer cool. Filled not just with any water, but mineral water. Evian.

Water is one of the best natural breast enhancers. It also keeps those breasts firm. A little cold, at first, but great to keep cool. You can top it up easily to keep it nice and cool.

Via gadgetryblog

Technorati Tags: bikini, evian, water-cooled, breasts, boobs, bathing suits, swimsuits

This particular wrap caught my eye. I think the whole bathing suit set is really beautiful, but the wrap in particular (from Figleaves) seemed to drape really well. Yellow is such an underused colour in bikinis! The set is from Fantasie, and boy does that name fit!

Perfect for covering up on the beach or just showing off, the Pagoda beach wrap from Fantasie is in a gorgeous tropical lemon print and 100% cotton so you can keep your cool.

There is also the bikini brief under the wrap. The underwired bandeau bikini top is one of the most attractive bikinis I’ve seen in a while. The sizing is just right and it looks like it fits really nicely. The whole set is subtle but eye catching. Not over the top. The top features a structured cup for us bustier girls as well, so it has form and style.

Technorati Tags: fantasie, swimwear, bathing suit, bikini, swim wrap, beach, swimming

Some 59 per cent of Brits admit to falling asleep in the direct sun, so the electronic gizmo, which attaches to the swimsuit and beeps every 15 minutes to remind users to roll over, or wake up and seek shade, could be the answer. It made its debut on the beach at Brighton.- Daily Mail

Considering how expensive swimwear is to begin with, this really is not any more expensive than your average bikini. It will be on sale in the UK from New Look stores for £20.

Via Popgadget



Technorati Tags: bikini, bathing, tanning, tan, burn, sunbathing, swimsuit, timer, tech

This is one of the push-up bra bikinis on sale for $28. The sarong is separate.
The Miracle Bra includes pads and underwire cups for a great cleavage-enhanced look.

Most swimwear for 25%-50% off.

Bikinis from $19.
Miracle Bra swimwear.
Designer Collections.

Technorati Tags: victoria’s secret, bikini, swimwear, bathing suit, pushup, women