Summer is Here! Going on Vacation: Beach Bag Essentials

Summer has finally arrived. Despite my recent vacation to Amelia Island, the passing of Memorial Day officially rings in summertime--it is now Ok to have Sam Adams Summer Ale. Beach Vacations are a must during the summer and if you are like me you like to arrive on the sand prepared. I have compiled a list of my beach bag essentials, and, with the help of Modelinia.com, I found out what models like Brooklyn Decker and Heidi Klum also pack in their beach bags.

A must-have in my beach bag is my iPod Shuffle--it is so small and light with the added bonus of being able to clip it to my bathing suit for my long walks on the beach. Just remember to take it off before entering the water.

Sunscreen is also a must for me. I am very attentive with sunscreen, I cannot comprehend those people who "fry like bacon" all day and end up looking wrinkly and leathery. My sunscreen of choice for the moderately active beach goer is Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50--yes I use 50. Their sensitive skin SPF is hypoallergenic and contains zinc oxide. I particularly like it because there is no strong smell and it moisturizes my skin as it protects me from UVA/UVB rays. Don't forget your lips, I use Dermatone Moisturizing Lip Balm SPF 23.

I must admit I am not a big sunglasses wearer at the beach. They always get smudged with sunscreen, you have to remember to take them off before you go in the water, they get sandy, people step on them, etc. However I do wear sunglasses when off the beach or for reading a book in the sun, my pair of choice are my Mosley Tribe Pilot sunglasses.

A towel is key, I bought a double towel from Target that is big enough for two; it can also be used as a blanket of some sort. On top of a blanket I bring a sarong (What's sarong with you?--that is for my best friend). The sarong is perfect for multiple reasons: cover-up, towel, blanket and scarf. My sister bought a sarong for me when she went to Brazil--I love it because no matter how many times I wash it it smells like the beach.

My last two beach bag essentials are Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Sile Touch Leave-In Cream. It is perfect for the beach because it provides moisture for dry hair, helps diminish frizz and bonus it contains UV filters! Finally the last thing I bring is my water bottle. It is so important when you are out in the sun to hydrate. I use a Sigg reusable water bottle; I usually refill it multiple times during the day.

I hope this helps you prepare for you beach vacation and gives you ideas of what essentials to fill your beach bags with.

Tell me what you put in your beach bags in the comment section below!