It's warming up down under! Here are my essentials for this summer
Hat and zip-up pouch, Tigerlily Swimwear; Towel, Swell; Swimmers, Roxy; Face Mist, Cedar + Stone; Watch, The Horse; Shell earrings, Celeste Twikler; Rings, Indie and Harper; Shell necklace, Arrow Divine.
The weather is warming up and it's feeling more like summer – my favourite season! So here are my summer essentials to equip you for long days at the beach, backyard bbqs around the pool and long Sunday afternoon picnics.
SUN PROTECTION
First and foremost, I never go outdoors without sunscreen – and Sun Bum is my favourite! They have a range of options depending on the conditions you'll be in, and a sunscreen created specifically for precious little ones and friends with super sensitive skin... and it smells awesome! I use Sun Bum 30, it's paraben free, gluten free, cruelty free and hypoallergenic + more!
TO BUY: Your local surf shop or http://shop.trustthebum.com
SWIMWEAR
I love shopping for swimmers online because you can try them on in the comfort of your own home! My favourite place to shop for swimmers is surfstitch.com – they have lots of different brands and regular sales. They offer free returns and exchanges within 30 days minimum which makes shopping online easy peasy!
They also provide a helpful little chart to explain which cuts will suit your body shape.
For more information go to https://thelens.surfstitch.com/2017/09/20/introducing-state-of-swim/
HAT
When the sun gets as hot as it does here in summer (...and autumn and spring!) a broad brim hat is a must-have, especially if you'll be outdoors in the middle of the day! My hat is last season Tigerlily but here are my recommendations for this season:
Back Bay Hat, O'neill, The Coasta Straw Hat, Fallenbrokenstreet, Ritual Boho Hat, Rip Curl, all surfstitch.com
TOWEL
In our house we have more beach towels than bath towels! This Swell beach towel is my favourite! I love the uni-sex striped design and the best thing about this towel is the larger size. It comes in two designs and because of it's size, can double as a picnic blanket.
BEACH BAG
I inherited my favourite beach bag from my mum, and I'm sure she had it since the '70's! It's a great size to fit everything I need for a day outdoors and a woven bag is perfect for the beach environment.
Here are a few recommendations:
Vintage Woven Market Bag, Arrow Divine, www.arrowdivine.com; Andrea Bag, Giselle, revolveclothing.com.au; Pereskia Bag, Tigerlily Swimwear, tigerlilyswimwear.com.au; Hazy Days Market bag, Billabong, billabong.com
ACCESSORIES CASE
It's helpful to keep all the little bits (lip balm, keys, watch and jewellery) in an accessories case inside your beach bag to make them easy to find. My accessories case is from last season Tigerlily, but their little cases for this season won't disappoint! I also use it as a make-up case when I travel.
Luftar Purse, Tigerlily, tigerlilyswimwear.com.au; Salute Pouch, Tigerlily, tigerlilyswimwear.com.au; Tapestry Makeup Bag Set, Swell, surfstitch.com.au
A FEW LITTLE BEAUTY TIPS FOR SUMMER: I like to keep Cedar + Stone Rose Water and Argan Oil on hand for skin and hair hydration. The Rose Water comes in a spray bottle so is easy to use as a refreshing face mist at the beach or on the go. Argan Oil is great for hydrating hair that's been in the sun and salty sea, just apply to the ends of your hair after a day at the beach or swimming in the pool.
...and on my wishlist this summer...
BEACH UMBRELLA
This one is on my wishlist! It gets so hot up here in the sunshine state, that a little shade on the beach to retreat from that hot sun is a must! This one is from Business And Pleasure Co and comes in four different patterned fabrics.