Summer Must Haves

From my travel experiences i have found there are several things that just make them even more enjoyable

1) Digital Waterproof Camera



I bought this Canon Powershot D10 before going to Costa Rica last December. One of the best investments i have ever made. I bought it from BuyDig.com ( via bing) and spent a little under 300 i paid a little extra for a case and a memory card. Its waterproof, shockproof, freeze proof and semi drop proof. We took it surfing, repelling waterfalls, ziplining in the rain, white water rafting and got all those moments on film and on video! I dont leave home without it!



2) a GOOD Sunscreen



i have become a fan of coppertone's Sport spray sunscreens. they provide good coverage, last a long time on my fair skin, and arent greasy. I like banana boat too but you are like a greased pig when you wear their spray.... i HATE getting burnt and i dont want to damage my skin so i stick to a super high spf. i dont tan anyways, but the more protection the better.



3) a good beach bag/tote/backpack

Depending on your activity depends on what kind of bag you need. I like to be prepared for anything so i always have some sort of bag with my money, camera, chapstick, sunscreen, bugspray etc. Before Costa Rica i bought a mini backpack at acadamy in the Kid's section for 5 bucks. it was perfect. i carried all our stuff in there, it was always on me, not to big just right. the zippers of course broke the last day, but it was intended to last the trip and cost 5 bucks and well it served its purpose. i recently bought a HUGE beach bag for my bahamas trip and you bet their is room in there for anything and everything... including my beachball

4)sun protection: hat and sunglasses

Gotta protect your face from the sun... and your eyes so i always have a baseball hat or straw hat near by



5) Comfy flipflops

You never know if you are gonna have a long treck to walk and the last thing you want is a pair that rubs the top of your foot, or between your toes so make sure they are comfy!



6) a good coverup!

You never know when you might leave the beach and want to go grab a bite to eat and some places dont want you sitting in your bathing suit anyways.... my personal favorite is my Juicy Couture coverup ( as seen in the photo). the material is so pretty it looks like it could double as a really dressy sundress... it makes it appropriate for me to walk through anywhere...




7) a good conditioner or hair mask

i pack little sample of conditioners i have gotten in my beachbag for after surfing or wading in the ocean. With my curly hair its already near impossible to brush it when its dry or wet it tangles so easily and well beach water makes it 100 times worse. its like one big rat's nest and the last thing i wanna do is try and comb it out later after its been sitting. In costa rica i took some packet samples of Fekkai's conditioner and hairmask and after surfing put it in my hair so that when i returned my board and i hosed off i could rinse my hair out and boom tangles gone and my hair is good to go!



8) a good chapstick or lipgloss with spf

while sunburns hurt... sunburned lips and chapped lips SUCK.... i cant get enough moiture

9) a FLATTERING bathingsuit

ok guys and girls ( mainly girls) just because you can get something on or that it fits.... DOES NOT mean you should wear it. There are so many brands of bathing suits and styles that can accomodate all kinds of body types. For example... monokinis really arent one pieces designed to hide things. they only point our your "extras" because they cutouts are always in those places. Shop around and most likely you can find something whether you have a butt, too much butt, big or small chested, skinny, curvy, overweight, long waisted short waisted. If you dont know look up numerous magazines online that offer advice on styles based on body type. Dont think that the bikini rack at target (who doesnt make the greatest bathingsuits to flatter anyone) or victoria secret is all you have... not true! Take someone shopping with you that will be honest with you. Besides, if you're gonna spend a good majority outdoors with friends and there could be a photos whatever.... you wanna be in what you feel the most confident, sexy and comfortable!

I have several other things but those are the main ones that always lead me for a good stress free day at the beach/lake/pool/river whatever!