I knew it was coming.  I was actually looking forward to it.  As I do every year. 

I got my Victoria's Secret "Resort 2008" Catalogue in the mail the other day.  I've always found it rather amusing to get a "fun-in-the-sun" clothing catalog when there is several inches of snow on the ground outside and wind chill factors could potentially dip below zero at any moment.  Truth be told, when I hear the word "resort" in January, I actually think of a ski resort. 

Despite this, I also received the "Swim 2008" Catalogue the very next day.  In it, I found the usual collection of two-piece bikinis worn by impossibly beautiful women lounging around in places like Bali and Bimini.  The point, I gather, is that "vacation season" is just around the corner and you want to be sure to have the latest fashions in your suitcase as you escape to your favorite tropical destination for a few days.  Yet, I'm pretty sure I saw those same cotton striped sailor pants last year in their Summer Catalog.  This year's tiger print bikini with lace trim is awfully cute, but it looks more like lingerie than something you'd actually wear while riding Hawaiian waves or dashing into a salt-water pool surrounded by resort guests on holiday in St. Tropez. 

And something tells me that unless you are Alessandra Ambrosio, it would be difficult to pull off the ensemble anyway.  But that doesn't take away from how pretty these catalogs are to look at during winter's darkest days.  They create hopeful visual images of lounging half-naked in the warm island sun, umbrella drink in hand, with powdery white sand and turquoise-sky backgrounds.  Who doesn't want to think about that right now? 

My favorite item in the catalog was Borba's "Aqua-Less Crystalline 30-day System" that is said to "fight cellulite and stretch marks".  Better buy it quick if you want to put on those bikinis in time for that cruise you've been planning!  I wonder if it works?

Whatever the temperature outside, getting these catalogs in January always sheds a little light on what's to come and helps to chase away those winter blues.  At least for a little while!