Thursday, June 8, 2017

Girl Chat – Summer Staples

Summer is almost here, even though we didn’t need the calendar to tell us that… the already 90 degree Georgia temps are all we need as a reminder.  ;o)  Today I’m sharing some of my favorite summer staples.

Beach and Pool Gear

Here in the south, I think it’s safe to say that the majority of people make at least one trip to the beach each summer.  Some of our friends go multiple times.  And some of our friends go almost every weekend.  They leave Friday after work and come home late Sunday evening.  When you’re only 3.5 hours away, why not?  And if you don't go to the beach, chances are you still spend hours upon hours at the pool.  Here are some of our favorite things to take when we go…



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!

Summer Trends

Summer fashion is so fun because it’s so bright and colorful.  I have three favorite trends for this summer that I plan to wear out… off the shoulder tops, tassels, and pom-poms.  I love it love it love it all!

ONE / TWO / THREE / FOUR


ONE // TWO // THREE // FOUR 
FIVE // SIX // SEVEN
EIGHT // NINE // TEN // ELEVEN


 ONE // TWO // THREE // FOUR
FIVE // SIX // SEVEN // EIGHT
NINE // TEN // ELEVEN // TWELVE

Sandals

The only footwear I wear during the summer is sandals - wedges, flip flops, flats, you name it, but you won't find any closed-toe shoes here... it's too hot! 



ONE // TWO // THREE
FOUR // FIVE // SIX

What are some of your favorites for summer?

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14 comments:

  1. Definitely on the same wavelength with a good book and that sunscreen for beach must-haves! Hope you guys are having the best time!

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  2. Love all your favorites! Sunscreen is at the top of my list and reading a good book can't be beat. Too bad that never happens for me haha

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  3. That hat is the best! Hope you are enjoying it this week!
    You know my love of the Target wedges! Amazing!!

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  4. I've had my eye on that wagon/beach cart for a while now, even though we only go once a year I still think it would be worth it! Love seeing all the pom poms and pineapples!! Hope you're enjoying vaca girl!!

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  5. I pretty much just want this entire list-LOVE ALL OF THE FRINGE! And pineapples forever!

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  6. What great staples. I hope you are enjoying your week! This post gets me in the mood for the beach and summer :)

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  7. The beach wagons are the best! They make life so much easier when you have a lot to carry and it's nice to have a space to leave things that you might not want to put directly in the sand. I've been on the hunt for a beach bag this year and the pineapple one is so cute!

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  8. I love the off the shoulder dresses and tops, and you look so cute in them, but I feel like I can't pull the look off. I love all of those sandals. Hope you guys are having a great time this week.

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  9. 100% agree about cheap flip flops for the beach and pool. I was flabbergasted to see a fashion blogger wearing her Tory Burch $200 sandals on the beach by the water! Give me the Old Navy flip flops all day for the pool and beach! Hope you all are having a fun time!

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  10. The all weather blanket and portable speakers need to be added to my list. My bro in law has one we use at my parents' lake house and it is so nice!

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  11. Love all your pics - wow! I am loving the pom pom trend of course and you have some good finds for that especially those pom pom sandals you got for your birthday! xoxo ERIN

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  12. So I tried on a whole bunch of off the shoulder stuff and hated it all on me. What the heck, I love it on everyone else... Yeah, that was disappointing.

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  13. Love all the tassels and pom-poms. So colorful and cute! I think tassels are an easy trend to grab on to for a few accessories...I may have to go for that this season!

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  14. So many cute items. Love the bathing suit and the beach hat you posted. I can't wait to hear how it all worked out on your trip.

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