Living in Florida, the beach is definitely one of our happy places and because we spend so much time on our coastline, I’ve got a list for you of the essentials that always make their way into my beach bag.
First and foremost, start with a great beach bag. With the amount of stuff we haul to the beach, a good bag is a necessity. I personally prefer one that is fashionable and functional. My go to bag is the Sam Edelman Sierra Tote, it is big enough to hold the essentials and bonus it’s pretty adorable too, with a removable scarf!
Next you’ll want to bring along a big sturdy beach towel. I love this orange and yellow striped Cabana Cotton towel. Not only is it super soft, but it’s bright and stands out on a beach full of people, which makes locating our family spot a little easier.
Whenever I spend a lot of time in the sun my lips definitely need some extra attention. I’ve fallen in love with the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Lip Balm, it gives my pout all the moisture and protection it needs, while leaving my lips with a nice glossy sheen.
The most important essential if you’re going to be spending time in the sun is sunscreen. We want to protect our own skin and that of our kids from those harmful UV rays. My go-to easy-to-apply sunscreen is MDSolar Sciences Mineral Sunscreen Stick. I love that this product comes in stick form because application isn’t messy or sticky, two important boxes to check in my book.
When spending time in the sun it is super important to stay hydrated, that’s why I always carry my Asobu water bottle with me. I think it’s pretty cute, but the real bonus is that it keeps my water cool for hours.
I’m a photographer, so an essential for me is to always have a camera. Recently I’ve been loving my Fuji Instax camera. There is just something nostalgic about Polaroid pictures, the way they develop a little different each time, the way they force you to really think about the picture before you take it. It’s a fun change of pace and something special to remember our beach days.
I don’t know about you, but I often find myself spending more time in the sand with my littlest littles than I do in the cool water. When you are feeling hot and sweaty it’s nice to be able to spritz yourself with a soothing and refreshing mist. I’ve been using the Golden Door Yuzu blend hydration mist, it is not only moisturizing but it’s soft scent is quite refreshing and I honestly believe it gives your skin a nice boost of moisture just when you need it.
Last but not least, I always pack a cover up in my bag. Recently I’ve been wearing the Coolibar Suntect Tunic Dress! I’m a big fan of stripes so this dress is a staple in my wardrobe for both the beach and beyond; but such an amazing feature is the built in sun protection. While it is light weight and fashionable, it’s also blocking 98% UVA and UVB rays. Who doesn’t like clothes that work FOR you?
What about you… for a day of fun in the sun, what’s your go-to beach bag essential?