Perfectly Packed: Everyday Beach Essentials
This summer, we have been enjoying the beach and I wanted to show you my everyday beach essentials that make spending a little time on the sand easy, more colorful and fun. There is a super easy sun tent, what’s in my beach bag, and what to wear on the beach and after the beach (and they are on sale).
It’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. The Better Beach Umbrella
After seeing them on the beach and our friends getting hit by a flying beach canopy tent, I wanted to purchase a Shibumi Shade. They are not cheap so I read all the reviews.
My friend said she bought a knockoff Shibumi and it was so hard to put up she that got a sunburn while doing it!
We purchased the Shibumi Shade Mini on Amazon which is just for two people (and Chief). I put it up by myself in about four minutes. And it’s so lightweight to take to the beach.
It’s better than our beach tent and easier to use than our beach umbrella. We may buy the bigger one for when the gang is all here.
Here is a good review by Better Homes and Gardens. They say: “The Shibumi Shade has all the perks of an umbrella while removing almost all the downsides: It’s effective, durable, user-friendly and compact for storing. Throw in the fact that it’s partially made from recycled materials and you’re looking at a product that’s worth the buy.”
2. What’s In My Beach Bag
My dear friend, Lisa gave me this colorful sturdy beach tote bag on sale now (and beach towels) that I like to take to the beach. It’s water-resistant and perfect for a beach vacation.
Have you heard of Rifle Paper Company? Such cute things!
And of course, I pack a facial sunscreen and a spray sunscreen with a high SPF for sun protection, sunglasses, lip balm and my portable speaker. I’d have sand toys and snacks, too, if Louisa was with me.
My beach bag must-have:
Howard gets our Tommy Bahama beach chairs at Costco but they are on Amazon too.
3. What To Wear At The Beach
This is a great fitting black mesh one piece swimsuit from Target. It has modest coverage and is only $40. Disclaimer: I do not look like the model below. It’s a nice suit but it can’t work miracles. 🙂
Mine is a medium, two years old and has held up. I’m wondering if I should get it in white too. I love Havaianas flip flops with a back strap.
This cool linen blend caftan from Banana Republic Factory is great price at 40% off plus an extra 20% off. It’s chic for a tropical vacation or hanging out at home. I don’t think it will be in stock for long. There are three colors.
You may also like Fun Fall Sunset Beach Party And More Picnics.
4. DIY Purse Charms
While my daughter, Alexandra was here she said some of her favorite influencers had pretty bag charms on their purses…but they were not cheap. So we decided to make some of our own out of my broken jewelry pieces.
I cannot say we are experts but we winged it by going to Micheals for wire, hooks, etc. My daughter attached hers to a vintage straw bag (similar) and I attached mine to the hat clip on my Madewell bag (which is on sale plus an extra 30% off).
Mine already fell off last night :/ But I know how to reinforce it with more wire. If anyone has any tips please let me know. Alexandra and I just had fun doing a craft together while the baby was napping.
5. What To Wear After The Beach
The embroidery on this Johnny Was cotton jersey maxi is pretty.
It’s on sale (30% off and has pockets). Very comfortable. I wore it out to dinner.
Hopefully, this has given you some beach day inspiration. We feel lucky to live near the ocean waves but I love a lake, pool or any body of water!
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Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
I ordered the dress through your link! It looks so cute on you!!
It will look great on you. Mercedes ordered it too!
Hi Mary Ann,
Good luck with your up coming cataract surgery. It will be so nice to check that off your list.
Yes. I want to get it over!
LOVE that Johnny Was maxi on you, Mary Ann! Super flattering on you.
I will take a look at the Madewell bag, too, bc of its black leather with straw. I am still on the fence about caramel and brown leather for me (age 64 — I should know by now!), as I have black hair and winter coloring. I began considering brown leather because you have mentioned that you like to wear tan/caramel/brown leather with black clothing, and it does look great on you! It is harder to find black trim with a straw/rattan bag than a straw/rattan bag with brown leather trim!
Fun and clever craft project to do your own charms with extra jewelry! There are many things we can make, rather than buy, to stimulate our personal creativity and use our brains a little differently…
Best wishes for your second cataract surgery!
I am ready for cataract surgery, just shopping around for the right surgeon (the first one I consulted was rushed and impatient – Hey buddy, these are my eyes!). I would love to hear more about your surgery. Did you have corrective lens? Is there anything you wish you knew prior to your first surgery? As always, you look adorable in that dress!
I did get the corrective lens put in. I just have to use a lot of drops as I have dry eyes. I get the next one done on Thursday.
You will feel so balanced after having your second eye done! It’s so weird walking around with only the one, and the colors all wrong. I had rushed to topstitch a pair of pants before my surgery, only to discover I’d used a mismatching color of thread after I could really see it. In between surgeries, I couldn’t trust my eyes–I would ask my daughter which eye was right when matching items. My doctor told me he’d had a patient complain she’d chosen the wrong carpet color, a $10k mistake, because she hadn’t waited till after both eyes.
That dress is smashing. I’d wear it anywhere, bummed my size is sold out..
Oh Mary, thanks for telling me about that! I’ve noticed that things appear less yellow with the one cataract removed.
Hi Mary Ann
What size dress did you go with on the Johnny Was maxi?
Thank you,
Cindy
It’s a size small, Cindy,