We might as well go ahead and call this post "Beach Essentials" because in keeping with the spirit of vacation, I'm sharing my favorite things from May and they all just so happen to relate back to the beach. I don't think I can say anything more that I haven't said already about how much I love going to the beach, so let's just get started!
Esther Williams Beach Blanket Bingo Bikini via Modcloth
Back in winter, you know, when you've got a little extra cushion from all of those holiday indulgences, I was already thinking about swimsuits for our trip. I tried on the ones I already owned and cringed when I saw how they fit. Since I totally slacked on my plan to get my butt in the gym, I decided the next best thing was to at least purchase swimsuits that I could feel confident in. When I found the Esther Williams line on Modcloth and started reading the reviews, I knew that they had to be mine. The retro style is right up my alley and who can resist polka dots? If you want a little more modest coverage but to still feel like a knockout then I highly suggest these suits! They are definitely pricey but that's just all the more motivation to take advantage of pool days at my apartment this summer.
I'm not a hat person at all, but I am a safe-sun practices type of person. Think reapplying sunscreen religiously every hour because I will inevitably burn, and a sunburn is not cute. I found this floppy hat at Target and thought it was perfect for not only the beach and pool, but also any prolonged outdoor activities like going to the park. Since the brim is pretty wide, it protects your face and neck very well, some of your most delicate skin. Also, for my girls who color their hair, you don't want to see all of that gorgeous color that you sat in a chair for 3 hours to get fade away from so much sun exposure, am I right?
First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40
Speaking of safe-sun practices, I usually like to buy a face-specific sunscreen in addition to what I wear on my body because I have pretty sensitive skin and am very prone to breakouts. I usually go for a drugstore brand like Neutrogena or Aveeno but this time I wanted to try something a little higher end, purely for scientific research purposes, not because I'm addicted to Sephora or anything. I have to say that this stuff did just what it was supposed to do and I didn't get burnt on my face at all (the rest of me was a different story). It can be a little thick and leave a white cast if you're not careful, but it's great if you take care to rub it in well.
I discovered Sole Society how I discover many things these days, through the wonderful world of Instagram. Seriously, so many of my conversations with friends start with "So I saw this thing in Instagram ... " Not that it's a bad thing at all! I had been on the hunt for a new pair of sandals to update my spring and summer wardrobe, and I decided I wanted to get a pair with a horizontal strap across the toes this time as opposed to a t-strap (there has to be a more eloquent way of saying that, but you get the point). I tried several different ones on from various stores and they were either too big or (usually) too tight. I don't have super wide feet by any means but they definitely aren't narrow either. It was a bit of a gamble to buy these online, sight unseen and not being familiar with the brand past their number of Instagram followers, but I went for it and I'm glad I did. They fit well, though I do need to break them in some because, hello blisters from the first time I wore them. It's a sacrifice you have to make sometimes, I guess.
xoxo,
Amanda
