Friday Favorites #45: Beach Essentials

Good Morning, and Happy Friday!

I’m so happy the weekend is (almost) here. Scott is gone until Sunday, so the idea for a girls’ getaway couldn’t have come at a better time.

Around 4 p.m., my best friend Alex is picking me up to join a few of her other friends from her work at her family’s cottage in Northern Michigan for a couple of days!

We have big plans of doing as little as possible, after we stop into Traverse City tonight for dinner. There’s also a Cherry Festival going on that we might check out! Whatever we end up doing, I’m looking forward to spending it with great company and little technology.

But before I get too excited, there’s a Friday Favorites party to host!

And since I did a little bargain beach shopping for our time at the lake this weekend, I thought it would be fun to share some of my beach essentials and make it a themed #FFavorites today.

As always, I invite you to share some of your favorites, or even some of your favorite beach essentials in the comment and link up sections!

Friday Favorites #45: Week of 7/11 – Beach Essentials

• striped bikini

I stumbled upon this subtly sequined Sperry Top-Sider bikini at TJMaxx a few weeks ago. It caught my eye right away, but I decided to hold off on purchasing it that shopping trip and told myself I would only buy it if my size was still around on my next trip in.

Last night, I went in looking for it and there was only one left… in my size. Totally meant to be!

Who knew Sperry makes adorable swimwear?

I’m kind of obsessed with it, and after searching online, I realized it’s not easy to find. There’s a similar one on the Sperry website, but it’s only available in army green and coral for much, much more. (Similar, similar, similar)

This navy and white set cost a grand total of $34, which made me a very happy girl!

• maxi dresses

Speaking of TJMaxx, I also picked up this Cross Back Max Studio maxi dress on my way up to the register.

I first noticed the unique detail on the front, but fell in love with it when I saw the back along with the $29 price tag!

I have absolutely been loving maxi dresses this year, and especially this summer. They are unbelievably comfortable and can be dressed up or down to wear the whole day. Perfect for a weekend at the beach!

• sunscreen

The older I get, the more I value a good bottle of sunscreen.

I haven’t tried any of these yet, but I saw the bottles of Yes To and Neutrogena body sunscreen at Five Below and knew they belonged in my basket.

I received the Yes To Cucumbers Natural Sunscreen Stick a few months ago in a care package from the company and can’t wait to test them all out!

I’ll be sure to share my thoughts, but I have a feeling they will be placed in the repeat category. I’ve loved all the Yes To Cucumber products I’ve tried so far. Especially the facial towelettes!

• floppy straw hat

Speaking of Five Below, that is another store I really can’t get enough of. I have been in need of a floppy straw hat to protect my face from the sun on beach days for years and finally found one right under my nose for $5!

It might not be the best quality out there, but it’s sure to do the trick this weekend! #fivedollasmakesmeholla

• comfy cover up

As easy as a pair of jean shorts and tank can be to throw on over a bathing suit, a simple beach cover up is that much easier.

I also purchased this Cythia Rowley number at TJMaxx (shocker) and can’t wait to finally put it to use this weekend. I love the long sleeves and light sweater-like material!

It’s hard to find similar versions online, but I feel like they’re everywhere in stores like Target, Kohl’s, and Nordstrom Rack!

• sunglasses

Obviously, a weekend in the sun calls for sunglasses.

I plan to rock these Coach Kristina Sunglasses I picked up in Florida back in March the whole time!

If you don’t want to bring your everyday or nicer pair, pack a pair of cheaper ones you wouldn’t mind scratching up a bit.

Both of these were picked up at an accessories store (Claire’s maybe?) years ago and are easy to toss into bags without thinking twice about.

• flip flops you don’t care about

Echoing off of the sunglasses statement above, I’m only bringing sandals I don’t care to get sand on.

These Old Navy flip flops are well broken in by now, but I didn’t feel a need to take a newer photo of the same pair. Two for $5 = a ton of messes I could get myself into with zero cares!

• beach bag

My final Five Below find this week was this rope handle tote bag! I absolutely adore the style and would have paid a lot more for it.

As many bags as I have seemed to acquire, I have been lacking in adding an “okay to drop in the sand” tote bag to the collection.

It’s great to have a throw-everything type of bag you don’t care about getting dirty that is big enough to fit more than a beach towel and sunglasses into.

Keep a look out, you just never know where you might find a similar tote!

• lip balm

Inside of my beach bag, there will definitely be a lip balm or two. My lips always seemed to get chapped out in the sun!

The number one lip balm I have been turning to for years is eos. They come in all kinds of flavors these days, and I recently picked up a new Summer Fruit and Honeysuckle Honeydew.

These balms are definitely favorite-worthy for being 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petroleum free.

• reading material

Also packed in my beach bag are those magazines I didn’t get around to reading last weekend.

I’m still not sure if I’ll get to them with a group of girls surrounding me, but it’s comforting to know they’ll be there just in case!

• healthy snacks + water bottle

Besides the obvious beach towels addition, there will also be plenty to snacks on top of them in order to avoid eating whatever might be convenient elsewhere in between meals.

Protein bars, fruit, baked snacks and almond mixes are great choices that won’t make you feel bloated in your bikini. Pictured above is my red, white, and blue summer mix I’ve been constantly carrying around.

And most importantly, don’t forget to hydrate! Bringing your own water bottle (<- best one I’ve ever invested in) is an easy way to remind yourself to drink more. When it’s out, find a water fountain or restaurant near by to refill it and keep you cool!

• vitamins to-go

This might not seem necessary for a day at the beach, but since I’m going for multiple days I am bringing some extra Vitamin C with me!

Emergen-C is a vitamin mix powder you combine with a small amout of water that you probably already read about here on HWG Wednesday. I have been using the packets for years and can’t urge you to give them a try yourself!

If you need some help, be sure to enter the Emergen-C giveaway currently going on. Three months for free, ya’ll!

Your Turn

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Have a great weekend and I’ll see ya Monday!