My favorite summer weekends have to be when we have no plans but hanging out in my parent’s backyard. They have the most fun pool and the prettiest yard, so it’s easy to lay out there from morning until dark! When we head over there, I pack up all my necessities and plant myself in that little lounge chair all day long, and I am happy as can be!
Since I have been over there everyday of this long weekend, I thought I would share with you a sort of “What’s In My Bag?” pool edition 😉 These are the five things I never leave the house for a pool or beach day without:
1. Beach Bag
My keen sense for overpacking does not limit itself to travel, and easily rolls right into pool and beach days. If I don’t bring a [large] beach bag with me, I look like a crazy person juggling 17 items in my arms. The items here in this post are just the bare necessities, but let’s be real, there’s everything in that bag from sunscreen to Sour Patch Watermelons. Who wants to lay out all day without snacks?!
One of my favorite tips: Pack a little waterproof pouch in your beach bag for your phone, chapstick, and other small items you don’t want to get wet (or sandy if you’re at the beach)!
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2. Sunscreen!!
As of this year, I am officially apart of the “sun police.” Getting older, you realize just how many people get skin cancer and how damaging [and not to mention, aging] the sun is to your skin! You will always find e under an umbrella anyways, but indirect sunlight gets to you no matter where you are outside (or even inside!) and sunscreen is crucial! A hat is also one of my favorite tricks for keep sun off my face; I love this striped one for under $30!
I prefer a liquid sunscreen for my face (this is different than your typical “lotion” sunscreen that you’ve used since you were a kid), and a super hydrating lotion for the rest of my body. I wear this Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Sunblockunderneath my makeup daily. It has an SPF 70 and is super thin and non-greasy. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration lotion sunscreens are my favorite for body because they are a non-greasy lotion and don’t have a terrible sunscreen scent. They are also super hydrating, which is super important for my skin when I’m out in the sun all day.
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3. A Cute Suit
Obviously this is a no brainer, but I love to invest in a cute new suit each summer. This year I can’t get enough of high-neck styles and one pieces. I just ordered this hot pink bandeau one-piece!
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4. Light Summer Read
My favorite part about any vacation is the time I get to sit under an umbrella by the pool and read. Seriously, I don’t know about you, but that’s what my days will look like when I’m in heaven. I love easy, light reads on my Kindle for summertime, and every once in a while I like to throw in a motivational or faith-based book.
I linked a bunch of my favorites as well as ones that are on my list to read this summer in the tool below. My all-time favorite book is ‘Redeeming Love’ by Francine Rivers (It’s the only book I’ve ever re-read, and I never understood why people did that until this book!) If you haven’t read it before, add it to your Summer Bucket List (you can see mine HERE). Emily Giffin writes some of my favorite summer reads, and any of them are a safe bet for a good 4-5 hours of enjoyable reading!
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5. Cover-Up Outfit
If I’m going to be spending the day at the pool or beach, I prefer to wear more of an “outfit” as a coverup than just your typical swim coverup dress. I’m usually driving to my parent’s house, stopping at Target, or throwing my clothes back on to go grab something for lunch. Rather than running around town in a little dress, this way I feel like I’m covered up enough and it’s just as easy to throw on over a swimsuit.
Graphic tees and sweatshirts are totally in right now, and are my personal favorites to pair with cutoff shorts over my swimsuit. South Parade has some of the cutest tees and tanks, and their little sayings are right up my alley. Piña Colada por favor? Don’t mind if I do 😉
I had to have this “Vamos a la Playa” tank as soon as I saw it (the fabric is so soft!). And I always pack a long sleeve, thin sweatshirt because I can get cool on Summer nights or while I’m drying off from being in the pool. All of theirs are so cute; you can find them HERE!
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