What’s in My Beach / Pool Bag? + Summer Essentials

While some peeps are ready to usher in autumn, I’m clinging onto summer as long as I can 😉 And living in sunny Arizona, there are still plenty of haawwwt days to come. To cool down in the heat, I head to the pool whenever I possibly can. I’m spending so much time outside that I always have my beach/ pool bag packed and ready to go at any moment. Please read on to see my pool/ beach day essentials!

1. Michael Kors Blue Striped Tote (buy similar style here)This is my favorite tote bag for the beach and pool. I love the nautical chic design with the blue and white stripes and gold details. It’s just big enough to carry everything I need, but not too big that I overfill it. Because gosh knows, I will fill it 😉 I’ve had this tote bag for over 4 years and it’s still going strong.

2. Beach Towel Clips (buy here)If you carry your own pair of towel clips, then you know you are a true beach bum! These cute clips fasten your towel securely to your lounge chairs, so it never slips, slides around, or blows away on a windy day. These come particularly in handy on large beach resorts and cruise ships, where everyone’s towels and chairs look the same. Trust me, once you get these clips, you will question how you ever lived without them.

3. Large Beach Towel (buy similar here)For me, when it comes to beach towels, the bigger and bolder the patterns, the better. Looking at these bright yellow stripes just make me happy 🙂 Costco also has some great quality towels with fun prints for a good price. I have a couple of Costco beach towels that have stayed true-to-color and soft through the years.

4. Wide Brim Hat (buy similar here)Considering I’m gonna get sweat, sand, sunblock, and water on my sun hats, I don’t see the point in spending too much money on it, so I go cheap. As long as it has a wide brim and shades my face, I’m good. This particular hat from Walmart is out of stock, but they have similar, cute styles for under $10.

5. Quay Australia Sunglasses (buy here)I live in Quay Sunglasses year round. I love their trendy styles, colorful range, and good quality at an affordable price. I get all my glasses for around $25, either from Nordstrom Rack or directly from the Quay site during their promotional sales. My favorite styles are the Private Eyes in Gunmetal Blue and Rose Gold and the Desi Perkins High Keys.

6. Missha All Around Safe Block Essence Sun SPF45 (buy here)My must-have for a day in the sun is hands-down, sun protection. This Missha one is my favorite facial sunblock ever! I love that this has a pleasant scent and doesn’t feel oily at all (my two biggest pet peeves about sunblock). It is lightweight, absorbs quickly into the skin, doesn’t leave a white cast, and doesn’t clog my pores. What more could you want in a sunblock? 🙂

7. Coppertone Sheer Sunblock Spray SPF (buy similar here)It’s a shame this particular sunblock spray has been discontinued because it is so good! There really is a difference between a sheer formula and a regular one. Target has an Up-and-Up spray that works great for providing sun protection, but it leaves my skin feeling so sticky. That’s the last thing I want to deal with when I’m already sweating bullets in the hot sun. These sheer formulas absorb quickly and feel incredibly lightweight, almost like you’re wearing nothing at all.

8. Maybelline Baby Lips Moisturizing Lip Balm in Quenched SPF 20 (buy here)I made the mistake once of going to the lake and dousing myself in sunblock, but completely neglected my lips and boy, did I pay for that doozy. My lips were burnt and swollen for days. Never again! The delicate skin on your lips needs protection from the sun too. Maybelline has a Baby Lips balm (just like the one pictured above) in bright blue packaging that has SPF 20, glides on smoothly, and smells great. Ironically, I’ve misplaced my tube so I need to get another one ASAP. 🙈

9. Colourpop Ultra Blotted Lip in Zuma (buy here)While I want some lip color and definition at the beach/pool, I don’t want to worry about sand or my hair sticking to my lipgloss or lipstick. Enter the Ultra Blotted Lip in Zuma. Zuma is a natural my-lips-but-better-shade in the most lightweight, non-sticky formula. It somehow feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, but still lasts comfortably and is a breeze to reapply. LOVE this. 👌

10. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater (buy here)I like transferring this rosewater into a travel size spritzer bottle to throw in my bag. A generous spritz of this yummy facial spray on a hot day feels so refreshing on the skin. The spa-like rose scent is absolutely divine and makes for a perfect pick me up.