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 Suit – This 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 Material – This 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 Chronicles, Tucker Up, Shopping 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.

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