We may not have hot sauce in our bag, but there is certainly no shortage of swag.
With the summer heat still going strong, we are soaking up every bit of bikini season! Lucky for us, our favorite time of the year is almost 6-months-long in ‘sunny’ San Diego, so we have lots of experience nailing down the key essentials for our long days spent laying on the sand and swimming in the sea.
First and foremost, every item must serve a purpose. There is nothing worse than having a bunch of unnecessary junk in your bag and subjecting yourself to hauling a huge pack to and from the beach. You are here to relax, so lighten your load, kick back and enjoy that sunshine.
Secondly, they should be good for you! You want to keep that bikini bod intact, right? You didn’t work this hard for nothing. Leave the chips, beer, and tanning oil (yuck!) at home and opt for healthier choices that will keep you hydrated and energized while you savor your day off.
Third, they should be able to withstand the elements. Certain products – like chocolate, makeup, and some beverages are simply not made for the sun. Having available shade like an umbrella will greatly increase your options, but keep in mind it’s still hot in the shade, and you don’t want anything to spoil or explode.
Now, you may be bumming because some of your fave beach items didn’t make the cut, but fear not! There are still plenty of fab items that are Covet approved to pack for your next outing to the shore.
Whimsical tapestry
Sure, towels are great, but sometimes they can be a bulky addition to an already full bag. Tapestries are thin enough to pack easily, and come in a variety of cool prints and colors to bring a level of beauty to your beach set-up that is unparalleled by any standard towel.
Hydrating beverage
We are big fans of Suja’s Probiotic Waters because they are super refreshing, hydrating and have 2 billion colony-forming units of vegan probiotics, won’t spoil in the sun. We are loving the tropical vibe of the Orange Ginger Pineapple flavor!
Light snack
Snacks are tough to pack, but if you are like us and worship the sun, packing fuel for your bronzing session is key to prolonging your stay. Health Warrior’s Chia Bars are good for you, easy to toss in any sized bag, and will hold you over until you can hit the taco shop.
Face sunscreen
Sunscreen is a no brainer, but this particular type deserves its own shout out because so many of the sun care products we use on our body can cause breakouts on our face. There are a handful of super high quality options out there, but our favorite is the Surface Face Stick. Like Zinc, it is super protective and lasts all day, but is in a convenient mini-stick form that ensures it won’t melt in your bag and is always easy to apply to the hot spots on your forehead, nose, and lips.
Good Reads
There is nothing more calming than reading your go-to magazine or a good book when you are listening to the waves crashing. Right now, we are all about work/life balance, so we are reading a TED book, “Beyond Measure: The Big Impact of Small Changes,” by Margaret Heffernan. In between chapters, you can find us cruising the latest editions of SHAPE, InStyle, or People.
Other beach accessories we are a fan of:
- Umbrellas & Hats
- Mobile Phone Charger
- Mini-speakers like the Boom Swimmer
- Surfbort
