Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Wednesday Wish List - Beach Essentials

The countdown to the beach is on!  We are so excited for our annual trip to the gulf and I’m already beginning to think about what to pack.  Packing for a family of four is no easy feat, that’s for sure, so I start making my lists a couple of weeks in advance to ensure that I don’t forget anything.  I actually have a master packing list for each member of our family, and then I alter each list according to the trip that we’re taking.  That makes things a lot easier.

Today I’m discussing all of the things that I like to have for the beach for myself



Sunglasses – I do not go anywhere outside without sunglasses.  I have been wearing sunglasses since I was tiny and I’m confident I will be that way forever.  My eyes are very sensitive to light, and man, when you get out there on those sugary white beaches at the gulf, the sun is even more blinding.  I've had these Old Navy aviators for a few months now and I'm loving them!  

All-weather Blanket – It’s always nice to have something to spread out on the ground to put your belongings on, to lay out on, or to let the kids play on if they get tired of the sand.  I am loving this blanket from Amazon… I have been looking for something exactly like it and I’m thinking we may need to make this one ours.

Portable Speaker – Brian bought this JBL Flip Speaker for us a couple of years ago and I cannot say enough great things about it!  We love it so much.  It plays music through Bluetooth so you can just pair it with your phone and BAM, tunes on demand all day long.  The sound is fantastic, it comes with a little carrying case, and it even loops around your arm so you can carry on your wrist when your hands are full.  We carry ours out to the back porch every evening to enjoy music while we’re lounging.  It’s so darn convenient!  And this one is also weather proof so you don’t have to worry if you get a couple of drops of water on it.  Also, it comes in tons of colors!

Swim SuitThis swim suit is ah-mazing.  I don’t even know if color block is still in this season, but I sure don’t even care.  The colors are so gorgeous on this suit and for the price??  Um hello?  Bought.

Cover Up – If you’re self-conscious like me, you don’t like to be walking all over creation in just your swim suit, so I like to wear something light and easy to pull off and put back on.

Beach Hat – Y’all.  I don’t usually wear hats, but I need this one right now!  NOW.  I part my hair the same exact way every day and my hair is not super thick, so my part and scalp are constantly getting burned since I also don’t like putting sunscreen in my hair.  This should solve that problem.  And there are like ten other designs!  I want them all!

Sunscreen – This Neutrogena Clear Face sunscreen is my favorite because it’s not greasy like most others and it is gentle on skin.  I have extremely sensitive skin on my face and I am prone to breakouts, but this stuff leaves me breakout free!

Reading MaterialThis book is already in my beach bag ready to go!

Water Bottle – Y’all know how much I love my S’well bottle.  I am constantly singing its praises here on the blog, so it will be coming with me to the beach.  It keeps liquids cold for 24 hours.  24 hours, y’all!  It is the worst thing to be sitting in the sweltering sun and then have to take a drink of lukewarm water.  Yuck.  This baby will be coming with me to the beach for sure.  And I love this pretty pink color!

Beach Flip Flops – I try not to wear anything fancy shoe-wise down to the beach because obviously the sun, sand, and salt water will likely ruin them.  Therefore, I’m all about the cheap flip flops… look how cute these are!

Beach Towel – This is a no-brainer… ya gotta have something to dry off with!

Beach Umbrella – I do not like being hot, and the older I get, the more I dislike it.  Therefore, I have to have shade at the beach these days.  When I was younger, I never worried about an umbrella, but now I’m all about having a place to cool off and get out of the sun.  And it is also a must to have a place where the kids can get out of the sun as well.

Beach Bag – You have to have something to carry it all in!  And PINEAPPLES!

Cooler – Also a must to keep all of the extra drinks cold.  We have this little one and it holds six water (or beer… hehe) bottles comfortably with plenty of room for ice.  However, it’s tiny enough so that I can actually carry it.  I cannot say the same for most of our other coolers.

Wagon – We don’t have one of these, but I am seriously thinking of getting one eventually.  When you have two kids you are lugging a crap-ton of stuff down to the beach.  In addition to all of the stuff listed above, you also have to factor in loads of beach toys for the kids, and if your kids are anything like mine, they want to be carried through the sand.  Uh… no.  Just not happening… unless we have this wagon!

So what am I missing?  Did I forget anything important?

Only a few more weeks to go and we’ll be on our way!  We’re just waiting on a certain kindergartener to graduate and be done with school.  WAAAAHHHH.

*Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I What I Wore, Pumps & Push Ups for Oh, Hey Girl! Link-Up, The Mummy ChroniclesTucker UpShopping My Closet for Style Me Wednesday, Classy Yet Trendy for Trendy Wednesday Link-Up, Shay for Workin' It Wednesday, Shelly for Royally Waiting, The Blended Blog and Jessi's Design and Going the Distance for What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday.

*This post may contain affiliate links.




36 comments:

  1. I don't usually wear a beach hat either....but that one may just be coming with me in just a few short weeks!

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  2. You've got me ready....49 days and counting. You know I need that pineapple tote and that swell bottle is my favorite one..the prettiest pink!!

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    1. Yes, I love my pink S'well bottle!! And hooray for only 49 days left until the beach! You're going to have a fabulous time!

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  3. The portable bluetooth speaker is a must - it's so perfect to travel with!! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  4. The wagon is a lifesaver! We have a similar one with skinnier wheels which works great for sporting events...but if you are going to be in the sand you definitely want those fatter wheels. I hope we make it to the beach for memorial day!

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  5. I have a floppy hat and some aviators on my to buy soon list! What a great list!

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  6. Bluetooth speakers are a must! We use one out by our pool in the summer and love it. I started that book last summer- you'll have to tell me how it is! I'm a magazine girl at the beach. I sit in the water and the waves are a bit messy, so I have to stick with a throw away magazine!

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  7. Ahh I bet you are so excited to be on the beach so soon!! I LOVE that swim cover! Great list!

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  8. Um yes girl! That wagon is being added to our list of vacay needs this year for sure. That hat is way too cute and so is that tote!

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  9. We have the wagon and not only is it great for hauling all of the stuff down to the beach/pool, we haul the kids on top of all the stuff back up when they are all tired and hot!

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  10. A portable speaker is a must. I love listening to music. A wagon is a great idea. I love the Neutragena face sunscreen. It is not oily at all and washes off nicely at nigh as well. I also like having chapstick (one with an SPF)and keep a tube in my cooler, my lips can get so chapped in the sun and sand. Great list of essentials! I bet you are all getting so excited!

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  11. A portable speaker is awesome for the beach! Love s'well water bottles, they are the best.

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  12. I can't wait to go to the beach! We have that blanket and it's seriously awesome. I actually just bought a beach cart a few months ago at Costco. After trying to drag everything to the beach with a kid on my back last year I told my husband never again! It folds flat, holds a ton of stuff and has a cooler attached. I have a feeling it will be my new favorite!

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    1. That is so awesome!! I'm really wanting one! It is SUCH a pain carrying all of that stuff back and forth every single day... especially when you have whiny kids who want to be held on the walk back up to the room!

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  13. I’m giggling because you posted about the beach and I posted about the mountains. I guess I know what the summer looks like here in Texas and I will be longing for cooler temps pretty soon! I love everything you listed here. We went to the beach last summer and used everything you have here. I need that swim cover and hat in my life!!

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  14. I'm back from my beach vacation now and I'm counting down the months/days until next year when I can go back! Haha I mean I can go to beach before then but my Cuban beach is perfection! Love all your essentials!

    Happy Wednesday!
    http://brittscozycorner.blogspot.ca/

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  15. The swimsuit and coverup are perfect-I love them!

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  16. I just got that Hello Sunshine hat!

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  17. Awesome round up! Yes to a great pair of sunnies and I can't rave enough about my S'well bottle <3
    Green Fashionista

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  18. YES!! I am loving/swooning over all of the fun beach hats. If I went to the beach often, I would SO buy one. I can totally see you in one!
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lily

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  19. Definitely a great list. So jealous of your beach trip. I can't wait to read about it.

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  20. Great list - all need everything on it!! We need to invest in a good portable speaker because that is a huge must have!! I am still looking for the perfect cover up for the summer.

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  21. Ohhh I really like that blanket. We need something like that to set out at my parents lake house. Such a good idea. Can't wait for your beach trip recap. I feel like it was just yesterday you were recapping last year. Time sure does fly!

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  22. Oh man, I would love to head to the beach!! I love the coverup!!

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  23. Wahoo! Looks like you are all set! :) I am still on the hunt for a good coverup myself. We aren't far away from our vacation either!

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  24. I just ordered the beach coverup, so cute! I actually got the one you pictured and another color for my sister...because, HELLO, under $15! A steal! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Oh yay! I hope you love it! And YES, girl, you can't beat that!! SUCH a steal!

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  25. We have a bose portable speaker and I seriously wonder what we did before it. It's awesome. I am getting so excited for you and your trip - ha. I love all your finds. Those wagons are awesome. I am looking into one with just regular wheels for all the things I have to lug to baseball games, etc. I think it would be so handy! Have the best wednesday my friend ;) xoxo ERIN

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  26. We're headed to Gulf Shores this summer and I keep telling Dustin we need a wagon since we go every year! Maybe this will be the year I can talk him into it haha! I agree with the portable speaker too--there's nothing worse then having to listen to someone's music next to you if it's horrible!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  27. Yes to ALL of these! We love our portable speaker & that hat is SO cute!!

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  28. I don't know what we did before a portable speaker - I think that's our number one day in the sun essential! Lake, beach even vacations - we always take it!

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  29. I love that hat you picked out. I tried to find one for my summer finds too! But came up empty, that one is so cute! All of these are great picks.

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  30. So many great finds! You have me wanting to plan a beach vacay! If only for a reason to buy the rainbow umbrella!!! Love! Thanks so much for linking up! Happy weekend!

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  31. Love that coverup and the beach hat! SO cute! Now I need to plan a trip to the beach!

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