To get the most out of the tail end of summer, take a trip to your nearest river, lake or ocean, dip your toes in the cool water and feel the beating sun on your skin. While soaking up Vitamin D, bugs and other unfriendly creatures can start to come out and bother you, so be sure you’re prepared! I packed quite a few essentials for my recent water trip, so I was good to go. Take a look inside my beach bag to see what I’m hooked on this summer.
The Bag:
Raindrum Traverse by Dakine
Huge, versatile, sturdy and full of awesome pockets, this was the perfect beach bag to house my summer essentials. I had plenty of space for my phone, food, water, trinkets, towels and more! Suited for use at school (it turns into a backpack!), work (giant laptop computer pocket) and more, this tote folds, packs small and barely resembles itself! (Also, the pattern reminds of me of the Buffalo Eddy petroglyph carvings). This awesome bag, which I got from Freestyle Xtreme, is a must-have.
The Sun Protection:
Protect Sunscreen by MyGreenFills
The sun beats down harshly in the late summer months and having an effective and healthy sunscreen is a must. Protect Sunscreen by MyGreenFills is 100% non-toxic and works wonders. After a few hours in the sun, I had a nice tan rather than a harsh burn and the lotion smelled nicely. As a plus, MyGreenFills is an eco-friendly company that focuses on sustainability and natural products for the whole family. Get it here.
The Mosquito Protection:
Lulu Life Virgin Sudanese Shea Butter
Mosquitoes abound during the summer months and for those trips where the skeeters are in full force, you’ll need a strong repellant to save the day. Handcrafted in Sudan, this shea butter is a lotion alternative to spray-on mosquito repellants and it packs a punch. One whiff of the shea butter and you’ll be sure the mosquitoes will leave you alone. An added bonus, Lulu Life creates products straight from South Sudan, where each cooperative 20 indigenous Kuku women. Get it here.
The Beach Read:
Island Journeys by Carlisle Richardson
Can’t stop dreaming you’re on a tropical island? Pick up this great beach read and imagine you’re living the experience! Read about island living, culture and impact on the global community through the eyes of Carlisle Richardson, a Caribbean native.
His travels to get to know each of the different islands’ cultures and environments have resulted in breathtaking experiences and thought-provoking insights. Small island communities, while scattered around the world and small in population, have a huge impact as a whole on a global scale. Island Journeys provides an invaluable and fascinating look into small island developing states in every corner of the oceans, through the eyes of an expert native.
Those interested in history, geography, economics, traveling or traveling the world through travel essays and other texts will love this one. Get it here.
The Comfort:
Islander Blanket by Insect Shield
No beach trip is complete without a comfortable towel or beach mat and I packed the perfect one by Insect Shield. This beach towel not only is comfortable and made of material that doesn’t let dirt and debris stick to it, but it also meant to repel bugs! Comes with stakes to keep it to the ground and is softer than a bath towel, it kept us bug-free and safe all afternoon. Get it here.
The Music:
Tipsy Session 1- Sensual Musique by The Tipsy Tortoise
A huge fan of deep and tropical house, there were no better tunes to bring than this mix by The Tipsy Tortoise. Plug in, lay back and feel the sun’s rays.
What do you pack in your beach bag?
**Disclaimer: I received a product(s) in exchange for this honest article. I was not compensated monetarily for this or any other post on Aquaberry Bliss and opinions are, as always, my own.**
Photos: Freestyle Xtreme, MyGreenFills, Island Journeys book cover, Elizabeth Adan
Elizabeth Adan is a Freelance Writer, Publicist and Brand Ambassador. Aquaberry Bliss is a unique outdoor lifestyle site dedicated to expanding your world and inspiring your creativity. When Elizabeth isn’t traveling, you’ll find her writing, hiking or gardening. Find Elizabeth on Twitter @stillaporcupine and on LinkedIn.
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