When we got home, I compiled her a little list that would help any down the shore trips be just easier and more convenient. Most aren't necessities, they're just nice to have. My car is packed from Memorial Day through Labor Day with my beach and pool accoutrements. The Mini trunk is set up like Jenga. But I'm never missing anything. If we can't get a cabana/locker at a beach club then I'm just going to keep it all in the car and be ready at a moment's notice. We live about 75-90 minutes from the beach we normally frequent. I like to be prepared and have the car ready to go so I don't have to rush around the morning we want to go and be stressed out because I forgot something.
So, here's my list of "stuff". B goofs on me for all the stuff I bring everywhere, but then is way grateful when my gadgets make things more convenient for him. Enjoy!
Wet bag- I used to travel with just random plastic baggies. Like from CVS or the supermarket. But one time, I guess there was tanning oil/lotion on something in the bag. It was a Target bag with those red bulls-eyes on it. The red started coming off on everything. That was the last time I did that. I got a wet bag and never looked back. It's deceptively large. It holds a bathing suit and a towel. Not a crazy large towel but a regular thin beach towel. I have one for E and one for me. This brand comes in many colors/patterns and you can use an unexpired Bed, Bath & Beyond coupon in Buy Buy Baby to get it.
I've talked about my Pack It love before. But this link is for the "social cooler", which is basically a family sized Pack It bag. It's great for the beach. I hate having to bring a cooler with separate ice packs. They just take up room.
This one is self-explanatory. I got mine in CVS but I like this one better. I saw it in person the other day and had I had another BBB coupon on me, I would've gotten it. It's just nice to be able to wear the phone around my neck too. Cuts down on it falling in the sand or getting wet.
I just posted about Saltwater Canvas in June. But here it is again. I love this bag- the Whale. I actually just got a second one. One for the pool and one for the beach. It has like eight pockets on the outside and one zip pocket on the inside. It also has a small hook on the inside so you could hang your keys, pool badges or whatever.
A sand anchor is a must if you use an umbrella. Our umbrella is easy to set up with it and never blows away. Without it, trying to just set up an umbrella is a pain.
I don't actually have this chair but I want it. It's my dream chair. I threw it in there just because I love it. It looks awesome. I have a regular reclining chair from Bed Bath & Beyond. Nothing fancy. $29.99 before coupon. I picked it because it has a strap to carry it with.
This is my actual chair- It's fine. It's light, easy to carry and fully reclines.
Five-Position Beach Chair
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Kids Printed Hooded Beach Towels
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Kids Printed Hooded Beach Towels
Perfect at the beach, pool or lake, your little one will love drying off and keeping warm with this ultra-soft and stretchy hooded velour towel with fantastic print...
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Easiest kids face stick ever. End of story. I keep one of these in every bag.
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 70
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This is where you carry ALL THIS STUFF. A beach caddy has been a necessity for us. I don't travel light. I just don't. This makes not traveling light a breeze. Throw everything in the caddy and go. It even hangs the chairs. It's awesome when you have to park far away from the beach. Or the pool. I bring it everywhere. I think I even brought it to the Ridgewood fireworks last year so we could bring food, sweatshirts, chairs, etc. Totally 100% worth it. No one wants to be hot, sweaty, and loaded up like a pack mule. Throw it in the cart and go.
Beach Caddy Deluxe
Beach Caddy Deluxe
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I love this thing. Seems a little dumb if you've never used one. Or a pain if you're in and out of the car. But it's the best thing ever. I have leatherette seats in the Mini. We used to have shade from a giant tree in an adjacent yard over our work parking lot. The people who own that house cut their tree down and the cars were then in the direct sunlight all day. It was a HUGE difference. I was in Target, saw a similar or the same shade as the one I posted below and bought it. As soon as I used it the first time, I knew it would become second nature to put it up. I use it every day and even if I'm just going into the mall. All the time. Especially at the beach. Who wants to get into a hot car and sear your skin on the seats? Try it- I guarantee it makes it much more enjoyable to get back into the car after a hot day on the sand.
Max Reflector Jumbo Accordion Shade
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