When I think about Summer, there are two things that pop into my mind almost instantly.
The first is barbeque, because who doesn’t love the taste of bbqed veggies, burgers, or chicken on a warm and sunny afternoon?
The second is that it’s finally warm enough to head to the beach for some fun in the sun! In Toronto, we’re super lucky that beaches are pretty much everywhere. Whether you want to hop on a ferry to Centre Island, trek farther east to Woodbine Beach, or journey north to Wasaga in Barrie, you can bet that you’ll need to bring more than just your bathing suit for a good time!
Here’s a list of the top 10 things, besides your bathing suit, you’ll want to have with you for a bangin’ day at the beach!
1) A Beach Mat
Usually, people use beach towels to dry themselves off after a swim AND as something to lay on while you soak up the sun. I always find that using a beach towel for both these things gets a little messy, especially when you’re trying to dry yourself off with a towel that’s covered in sand! If you’re like me and can’t stand feeling like you’ve got sand all over your body from your towel, try bringing a beach mat!
The great thing about a beach mat is that they’re thin, light, and usually made of plastic (meaning sand doesn’t stick too easy too these babies!). Instead of laying your towel directly onto the sand, you can put it on the bath mat instead and save yourself a little trouble! You can find a beach mat at most dollar stores. Another plus is that they’re usually larger than your average bath towel, so you’ll have more room for yourself while you gather some rays.
2) Sunglasses/A Hat
Ever since I got my prescription sunglasses I can’t seem to stop wearing them, even when it isn’t sunny out! The great thing about sunglasses is that you protect your eyes from UV rays while also looking effortlessly cool. Definitely make sure to pack a pair in your beach bag, you won’t regret it!
If you’re like me and hate feeling like the sun is shining directly onto your face, then a hat is perfect for you! Whether it’s a classic oversized floppy hat, or just a basic baseball hat, you’ll feel cooler if your eyes and head are shaded from the sun.
3) Good Company
This point is a little more on the obvious side as after all, a beach day is always more fun with company! Whether it’s your dog, your boyfriend or girlfriend, or a group of you and your friends, you can bet that good times will be rolling like waves on a beach!
4) A Volleyball/ Football/ Soccer Ball
One of the great things about beaches is that there’s usually a volleyball net already set up for you! You and your friends will definitely have a good time with this fave beach side sport. If you think your serve isn’t up to par yet, or if you don’t have a volleyball, footballs and soccer balls make great substitutes too, you won’t need a net either!
5) A Killer Playlist and Portable Speakers
What’s a a day at the beach without music? Load up your MP3 or iPod with music and bring a battery powered speaker to get the party started! If you’ve got access to the internet or a kick ass data plan, you can use Songza or SoundHound to find the perfect playlist for a day at the beach that’ll keep playing as long as you want it to!
6) Snacks
After playing volleyball on the beach, swimming for a couple hours, or throwing around a football, you’ll definitely want a refreshing pick-me-up to snack on. Fresh fruits are by far the best beach snack you can bring with you in a cooler. Save yourself the trouble of buying fast food and cut up some fruits before you head to the beach.
Watermelons, apples, and pineapples are juicy, sweet, and nutritious fruits that will keep you hydrated and won’t make you bloat after you eat them!
P.S. Don’t forget to bring lots of water!
7)A Barbeque (and things to grill!)
Along with volleyball nets, most beaches have barbeques for public use which is awesome if you’re planning to spend the whole day at the beach. You can prepare everything you want to bring before hand, like marinated meats, meat and veggie kebobs, hotdogs, and burgers and put them into a cooler. Bring a bag of charcoal, a lighter, and tongs and you’ll be fully equipped to become the next BBQ master of the beach!
You’ll also want to bring paper plates and utensils. If you’d rather go without, kebobs are a great alternative, just use your hands!
8) Flowy Beach Clothes
Beach coverups are amazing! They keep you covered if you don’t want to stay in your bathing suit the whole day, and aren’t tight or restrictive making them the most comfortable kind of beach clothes you could wear. Light and semi-sheer maxi dresses are also a great alternative!
9) A Boho Beach Braid
On a hot and humid day, wearing your hair down can feel a bit uncomfortable (especially when its on the longer side). Putting your hair up in a braid is perfect for a day at the beach because 1) It gets your hair out of your face and secures it onto your head, and 2) Braids are gorgeous!
10) Sunscreen (Obviously!)
I’m sure you were going to bring suncreen with you anyway right? You’ve probably been told a million times how important suncreen is, so I’ll keep this explanation short. Unless you want to be dealing with a sunburn from your fun in the sun, generously apply suncreen throughout the day and you’ll be covered!
If you find that you’re skin feels a bit sensitive after your beach day, aloe gel or any kind of aloe based moisturizer should help to soothe and calm your skin!
Now that you’ve got all your beach essentials, you’re ready to kick off your summer vacation! Have a blast lovelies, you deserve it!
Photo Sources
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/weekly/2014/07-18-878/cooknart9.html
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http://www.5minutesformom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/roll-up-matspri…
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-3049441-stock-footage-rear-view-o…
http://www.memd.me/4-fun-vacation-workouts-to-try-this-summer/
http://digitalwarble.com/waterproof-wireless-speakers/
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http://www.bedanddream.com/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Activities/
http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/beach-cover-up/