August 8,2012

Summer 2012 Beach Must-Haves

I’m sad to say that my vacation is coming to an end.  I have had a wonderful family vacation.  Work has been the furthest thing from my mind.  However, I do love blogging, and I love linking up my favorite things, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite must-haves for summer, especially trips to the beach. It’s a little late, considering most people have already had their vacations, but these products are really great year-round.

Sunscreen
All right, you all know that I’m very passionate about sunscreen, especially natural sunscreens that don’t contain oxybenzone.  I have included some new favorites:  Surf-vival Sunblock and Banana Boat Natural Reflect, which were recommended when I did a google search for “best all-natural sunscreens.”  And, some old favorites:  Eminence Tropical Vanilla is always a splurge, and you’ll understand why when you’ve compared it to other organic, all-natural sunscreens..it’s like butter, I tell ya.  I’ve also been really happy with Neutrogena pure & free, which is a line marketed towards babies.  Sunscreen is serious business when you’re protecting a family of four.

Makeup
As for makeup, I have to admit, that I still usually do put makeup on to go out.  I definitely don’t bother with it around the water, but come time to shop, stroll, and dine, I do try some “beachy” looks that focus on cheeks and lips.  I always start the day with a tinted moisturizer SPF 25, and I love to use lots of bronzer, a bright pink lip, metallic brown shadow, a pop of bright pink blush, and mascara to finish it off.

Fragrance
I go through spells where I am lucky to leave the house with makeup on, but this summer, I’m trying to get out of the house with makeup, jewelry, and fragrance.  Crazy, I know.  I have two favorites for the beach:  a new body butter from Victoria’s Secret and Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue Eau de Toilette.  Check out the links below.

Jewelry
For jewelry, I did pack a couple of options, but it wasn’t necessary.  Everyday, I put on my trusty starfish jewelry from J. Crew.  The earrings came from the Factory site, and the necklace came from the regular site.  I am so loving these pieces!

Reading
Last but not least, summer reading.  I recently acquired a Kindle.  I consider myself a purist, so I stayed away from e-readers for as long as I could, but now I’m hooked.  The first book I purchased came highly recommended, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is definitely a psychological thriller, one that I eagerly read every spare minute I could find.  And, I’m a big fan of having a Kindle at the beach…it takes splashes pretty well, and it remembers its place when you have to put it down a million times to watch your kids cannonball in the pool…again and again.