With summer just a hop, skip and a jump away, it’s time to start planning my beach trips. This means thinking about what will go in my fabulous beach bag. As you know, whether heading to the Hamptons or for a weekend in South Beach, Palm Beach or even the Outer Banks, it is imperative to have items that will take you from the beach to cocktails without having to go back to your hotel to change. So here are a few items this Glamazon has to have in my beach bag this summer.
1. Debenham’s Natural large woven beach bag: A girl can never have enough colorful beach bags. Though my usual go-to bag is one of my Land’s End tote bags, it doesn’t hurt to have a bright pink tote that makes a statement on the beach.
2. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: This book has been on my summer reading list for a few weeks and with the new movie coming out June 22, this book is definitely making it to the beach or poolside with me. After all, I need a covert cover for boy watching while lounging in my beach chair.
3. Serge Normant – Meta Luxe Hair Spray UV Protection: I’ve been using this hair spray for a year now and I swear by it. Since hair color gets brassy and dull in the sun, I usually have this with me to finish off my look before heading to the beach.
4. Diane von Furstenberg Carsandra Beach Dress: This beach dress from DvF is the perfect cover-up to take me from the beach to evening cocktails in a cinch. The vibrant pink and green print is flirty and ultra feminine and will make you stand out from the crowd.
5. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses: I never leave the house without my Ray-Ban sunnies. It’s a classic that stays in my bag no matter where I go to protect my eyes from the damaging effects of the sun. The added benefit of these frames is that they flatter most face shapes.
6. Havaianas Ocean Green Flip-Flops: The sand or poolside can get hot from the blazing sun so I make sure to have my Havaianas flip-flops when I stroll from my beach chair or cabana to grab a drink or stretch my legs along the water.
7. Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion SPF 50: I rarely lay out in the sun to tan and protecting my skin from the damaging effects of UVA/UVB rays is very important to me. I love this SPF lotion because it gives me 12 hours of moisturization. The rich shea butter and silk proteins in the formula protects my skin without leaving my skin greasy. The sweet fragrance in the lotion lasts for hours, making it unnecessary to spritz on perfume on the beach.
8. Korres Moisturising Body Milk: After rinsing off the salt water or chlorine from my skin, I love applying Korres Moisturizing Body Milk to pamper and sooth it.
9. Silk Elements Olive Oil Wide Tooth Conditioning Comb: If I happen to get my hair wet in the water or pool, a wide tooth comb is a must to detangle my curly hair and protect it from split ends and breakage.
10. Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Non Vintage Champagne: A nice chilled glass of champagne is always a must at the pool or beach. With fresh summer strawberries and blueberries in my glass, I love sipping on the finest bubbly with friends on a warm summer day. I cut out the calories I would be consuming from sugary frozen cocktails.
11. Home Source International – Mademoiselle Picnic Beach Towel: I love a vibrant beach towel to stake my claim on the sandy beach. I love this beach towel with a vintage print on it.
12. Noelle Brooke Polka Dot Swimsuit: I am currently obsessed with retro swimsuits thanks to Prada’s spring 2012 collection. This one-piece suit is cheeky with the polka dots, yet sexy with the criss-cross back.
13. Volcom Fooled You Beach Cooler Bag: Why carry a clunky and outdated ice cooler around the beach when you can look oh so chic carrying this patterned and very style cooler around. Don’t forget ice cubes to keep your champagne super chilled and crisp.
14. Ivanka Trump Valerie Flats Sandals: Come sunset, you’ll want to ditch those flip-flops for a dressier sandal. I love the jeweled thong sandal flats from Ivanka Trump. These beauties are the perfect compliment for the vibrant DvF Carsandra Beach dress I’ll be rocking in the evening for dinner and drinks with the girls.
15. August Floppy Hat Mix Blue: A floppy hat is always in vogue and I for one am a big supporter of wearing hats on the beach. Not only does it help protect your face and hair from the sun, it also makes you more glamorous when relaxing in your bathing suit poolside.
16. Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith’s Rosebud Salve: Keep lips soft and supple with the trusty salve from Rosebud Perfume Co. I make sure to carry this old faithful in my clutch or purse no matter where I go.
17. Echo Design – Graphic Diamond Bikini Bag: Instead of tossing your already wet and worn bathing suit in your bag, use the Echo Design Bikini bag so other contents in your beach bag don’t get wet, especially magazines and books.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Hawaiian Tropic® Sun Care via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Hawaiian Tropic.
Hawaiian Tropic is a trademark of Tanning Research Laboratories, LLC.
