Five on Friday - Beach Essentials

As I may have mentioned a time or two (or 80), we’re heading to the beach in a couple of weeks, so I’m shopping for all things beach in preparation for our trip.  Here are a few of my favorites… some will be coming with us, and some are still on the wish list.

O N E – Swimwear

When we go to the beach, I like to bring a different swim suit for each day for myself plus a couple of different cover-ups, a good pair of sunglasses, and a pair of basic flip flops that are easy to throw on even when you have your hands full of beach equipment.  My very favorite place to go for swimsuits is Victoria’s Secret, but someone just told me recently that they are going to stop selling swimwear soon.  I sure hope it isn’t true, but fortunately Target always has a great selection of swimsuits as well.  That black and white striped bikini and white coverup have already made their way into my closet for our trip...

Black and White Bikini / Color Block Bikini / Cover Up /

Gold Flip Flops / Sunglasses

T W O – Beach Bags

As far as beach bags go, I’m not terribly picky.  I like something large with a pocket or two, and I prefer that they zip up so I can keep the sand and water out of them since we typically haul phones and a professional camera down there.  These are all so cute and I wish I was in the market for a new one!

To the Beach / Vacay / Sun

T H R E E – Sunscreen

I typically wear a lotion for sensitive skin with a high SPF on my face, and then I stick to tanning oils with a 15 SPF for the rest of my body.  Why 15?  Experts say that 15 is the lowest you should go to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays.  Anything less than that doesn’t necessarily protect you.  I do, however, still want to be able to get a tan, so I don’t typically use anything much higher than that.  I just love being tan.  For some reason I always feel healthier and better when I’m tan, even though I know that the opposite is true.  My very favorite that I've been using for years is Australian Gold With Instant Bronzer... I love that it gives you an instant glow when you apply it.  So helpful when you're white as a ghost like I am.  :o)

For the kids, I try to use natural sunscreens with the highest SPF possible, and I love the spray on kind, because everybody knows it’s nearly impossible to try to rub sunscreen on a wiggly baby.

Neutrogena Sensitive / Australian Gold With Instant Bronzer / Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids

F O U R – Kids’ Swimwear

For Jacob we always get a swimsuit that includes a rashguard because he doesn’t like being without clothes.  Olivia, however, would run around the beach stark naked if we would let her, so for her, I just find the cutest swimsuits I can find and then grab a cover up for walking back and forth from the beach.  Flip flops are also perfect for them for the trek from the condo to the beach, so they each have a pair of cheap ones from Old Navy.  They also both adore sunglasses and neither of them play outside without them, so we will be bringing several pairs for each of them as well.  Everything you see below is coming with us to the beach... gosh, I just love Old Navy!

Superman Trunks / Superman Rashguard / Superman Flip Flops

Gingham Bikini / Cover Up / Pink Flip Flops

Two Tone Sunglasses / Black and White Striped Sunglasses

F I V E – Beach Reads

I could lay by the beach and read all day long.  It is just so relaxing.  I don’t typically get much reading in while the kids are down there, but a lot of the time, Brian sends me back down to the beach alone while the kiddos nap in the condo, and that is just pure heaven.  Last year I read an entire book on our trip, and I’m hoping to do the same this year as well.  I'm currently finishing up Shopaholic to the Stars and then I'm bringing the other two with me so I can decide which one to read when I get down there.  I would love to be able to finish all three, but I highly doubt that will happen!

Shopaholic to the Stars / Me Before You / The Nest

The countdown is on!  

Happy weekend!

*Linking up with A Liz Adventures and Carolina Charm for Five on Friday, A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites,  September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday, Meet @ the Barre for Friday Favorites, and Our Pretty Little Girls for Rewind Friday!

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