Monday, June 30, 2014

How To Pack A Ready-To-Go Beach Bag

What's in my beach bag?
We live just 20-30 minutes from the ocean. 
That's why I keep a beach bag packed and
 ready with all the essentials I need stashed
 on my closet floor. It eliminates the excuse...
it's too much trouble to get everything ready.
This big Vera Bradley bag has tons of 
pockets both inside and out. 
Inside are: 2 big fluffy beach towels,  
a clear zip bag with essentials,
 sunscreen, a thermal water bottle, and a 
rubber visor that I can wear in the water.
Here's what's in my clear bag.
Comb, emery board, wet wipes, an empty 
tennis can for collecting shells, rocks or sand. 
 A mini first aid kit, small Vaseline for 
 removing mascara smudges or possible beach tar.
Special beach sun/reading glasses, tissues,
Advil/Tylenol.  In addition to plenty of
 sunscreen, the most important thing
I put in my beach bag is a container of
baby powder. Before you climb into
the car for the ride home, sprinkle some
 on your hands and rub them over you feet
and legs. The powder causes the sand to
slide right off the skin. It also makes the 
ride home more pleasant: the scent of 
baby powder instead of salt, sweat,
and sunscreen.
Mini shampoo and conditioner. There are 
showers right on the beach to rinse off 
sand and salt. I often shampoo my hair right
there and let it air dry. That way if I'm
heading out to run errands on the way home 
or we decide on dinner al fresco post beach
 my hair won't end up in a tangled mess.
I even have a small container with soap.

 A note pad and pen for whenever an idea 
strikes. A little list of silly beach jokes. Fun
 if with friends who have small children.
(list at the end)
This clear pouch was a repurposed dental
care package. It has slots to hold things in
 place, and I can see at a glance whatever
 I'm looking for inside.
 Lots of quarters for the parking meters
right on the beach. Also in my bag is
Swiss army knife that can do anything. 
 They fit perfectly in the repurposed pill 
container from the vet. Doesn't hurt that 
it's blue too. I just covered the vet's logo 
and info with a sticker. 
 A security string attached on my sunglasses
 for that unexpected wave.
Last minute add-ins: my tablet and or latest
 beach read, beverage, Iphone, keys, and 
snacks. I'm already wearing my swimsuit 
with a cover-up, flip flops, big hat, 
sunglasses and a layer of sunscreen.
Love my Iphone. All my information is with 
me all the time. Isn't it nice that we don't 
need to carry a camera anymore?
 My phone fits inside my Dooney & Bourke 
eyeglass case. I tuck it into an outside pocket.
 The inside pockets hold: my tablet, wallet, 
keys, and Larry's wallet and phone. 
 The sunscreen goes into an end pocket to 
easily grab for re-applications. I put
 sunscreen on at home to give it the 
necessary 20-30 minutes it needs to absorb
 into my skin. Otherwise sweating during 
sports or swimming will wash it off.
 Everything inside. Just grab some snacks 
and fill my drink glass with lots of ice and 
water or lemonade to keep cool and
 stay hydrated.
This makes it so easy to grab a few beach
 hours whenever we are inspired to just
 take off! The beach chairs and umbrella
 are stowed just inside the garage doors....
wait, I think I want to grab a pool noodle too. 
So worth it!

Here are those beach jokes for the kiddos.
They are so bad they're good.
Silly Beach Jokes For Kids

Q. What lies at the bottom of the ocean and shivers?
A. A nervous wreck.

Q. What do sharks love to eat?
A. Peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches.

Q. Where do sharks come from.
A. Sharkago.

Q. What day of the week do fish hate most?
A. Fry day

Q. Why don't bananas like to sunbathe?
A. Because they have a tendency to peel.

Q. What do you call a man who spent all day at the beach?
A. A tangent.

Q. What game do baby fish play?
A. Salmon says.

Q. Why wasn't the girl afraid of the shark?
A. It was a man-eating shark.

Enjoy Your day!


3 comments:

  1. That is so cool!! Love all your organizing tips!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So cool, the closest beach I'm by is Lake Michigan. These days I rarely head downtown, You are an organizing queen, want to stop by an offer some help? Have a great 4th!

    ReplyDelete