What Should You Really Pack For Your Beach Trip?

Heading to the beach or pool this Summer? Check out what's in my beach bag and learn what you really need!

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Beach and pool trips are two of my favorite things. I love lounging out in the sun and dipping my toes in the water. I love the smell of sunscreen and my inevitable freckles. However, if I'm not careful, I can get so excited about my trip to the beach or pool that I forget to pack all of the essentials in my bag. So today's post is all about what we should pack in our beach or pool bags in order to stay sun-safe and to make our beach or pool trip the best it can be this Summer!

Nothing But Fun Summer Playlist

When Summer rolls around, I want four things: to feel the sun on my skin, to lay on and swim at the beach, to drive with the windows down, and to sing loud to fun music.

Sun is inevitable. Honestly, by the time we are halfway through Summer, I'm going to probably end up complaining. It just gets so hot here. But for now, I am happy that the sun is bringing out my freckles and hints of red in my auburn hair.

The beach is something I crave the second it gets warm enough to be in the water. You don't have to do much convincing to get me to take a trip to the small beach town I grew up in. It makes my heart so happy!

I really don't even mind the drive down to the coast most of the time, because a large portion of it is on back, country roads, or highways that have a similar feel. I roll the windows down, prop my arm on the window sill, and crank up the music.

This coming week, I am planning on going to the beach to visit my friends, so the beach, the sun, and a long drive with the windows down will be covered. But for a trip like this, good music is a must. So today, I am sharing a fun playlist that you can listen to whether you are road-trippin' it up like me, or are simply cleaning the house. Either way, it's a great, Summer pick-me-up!

I like sharing playlists with you because I want to 1.) give you something fun to dance around to, and 2.) I want to help you find your new favorite song. So this playlist is a combination of well-known favorites, and some lesser-known songs I think you'll like.

My favorites include La Bicicleta, Jackie and Wilson, and Sing. I hope you love these, and I'd love it if you'd follow the playlist on Spotify if you do.





What are your favorite songs on the playlist? Did you find something new that you love? Comment below!

And if you want to read more posts about Summer, I'm teaming up today with some awesome ladies. So click the links below to check out their Summer posts too.

Summer Cookout Party- Curbside Overhaul

The Easiest Plants For Kids to Grow- Little Sprouts Learning

Looking Back at School Year Reflections- Everchange Productions

Revisit Your Goals (July Goals)

As I looked at the date on my phone, I felt somewhat panicked. How could it already be July 1st? I haven't accomplished any of my goals yet (not the big ones anyway), and I am running out of time!

Do you find yourself feeling similar emotions lately? Have you realized that you have slacked on the things that are important to you, and now you want to play catch up?

I don't do goal posts very often, but since I have so many things I need to get back on track with (and some things I'm just dying to do), I figured now would be a good time to revisit my goals.

Read the first half of "You and Me Forever" with Taylor

Taylor and I are very blessed, but I've really been struggling with the fact that we don't see each other enough to really do something significant together. By the time we hang out, we are exhausted and just want to watch Netflix or take a nap together (yes, my husband and I are secretly 60 years old).
But even in this season of busyness, I want us to spend our time together in a way that will glorify God and further His kingdom.

I bought "You and Me Forever" a year and a half ago. We read two chapters and haven't touched it since. It may seem like a small thing, but reading that book together and growing in our faith and in our relationship is something that I would really like to do this month.

I want things in our lives to become more fruitful- because when your life is go-go-go, it's easy to throw important things to the way-side.

I know it's totally unrealistic to think we will finish the book in July, but I would at least like us to read the first half together.

Listen to Audio Bible 4 times/week

It's pretty embarrassing that every time I do a "goals" post, my Bible reading/listening hasn't gotten any better. I just can't seem to make myself, which is awful. I'm really going to make a concerted effort to listen to the Bible at least 4 times a week throughout July.

Increase my walking distance to (at least) 8 miles per/week

It probably doesn't seem like a lot, but right now I am walking between 4-6 miles per week. Between my hip injury and the Charlotte heat, that's all I've been able to muster (especially since I have a baby and her dog with me while I'm walking). But if I am going to lose weight, I have to keep growing my distances. 8 Miles/week is doable. It's challenging me to step it up, without being overly tough on myself.

Finish Wild and Free

If you haven't heard about Wild and Free, you really should check it out! Though I am only on the third chapter, I highly recommend it so far. It's all about letting go of the expectations that others place on us, as well as those we place on ourselves. It's about seeing ourselves through God's eyes and living a life of freedom- the way He intended.

I am reading through this book with The Mountainside Gathering- a Christian Facebook group filled with some amazing ladies!

Go to the pool as much as possible

I haven't found a good place to go to the pool in Charlotte, which is sad because I was so determined to do a lot of swimming in these stiflingly hot months! I am going to look into a place near work that has month-to-month sign-ups, and if the price is good, I'm going to try to get a pass. I am really tired of longing for the water, but never getting to be in it!

GO TO THE BEACH

No joke, people- I am getting to the beach. It will happen. Nuff' said!

Create my opt-in freebie

Back in the winter, I started on this project and got a whole 3 paragraphs written...I haven't touched it since. I really want to provide encouraging material for those who opt-in to my mailing list, but I just haven't gotten around to it. 

My original goal was to have launched this by June 1st, but that obviously didn't happen. I wanted to get it launched by September 1st at the very, very latest, so keep your eyes peeled!

My goals are pretty simple this month. Some are important, while others are simply recreational. And that's ok. I've been struggling to keep up with life lately, I and don't want to put so many expectations on myself that I feel like a failure if I don't reach those goals. 

Sometimes, we just have to give ourselves time and grace- no matter how tempting it is not to.

What are your goals this month? Are you having trouble staying on top of everything this summer? Comment below :)

Summer Lovin'

Summertime is something that most of the modern world looks forward to. It represents freedom from school to children, sun-kissed faces, bonfires, and lots of time spent outside. Even though I am now an adult and do not get a summer vacation as I did when I was in school, there's something about the summer months that feels freeing, like somehow I do get a break.

Summer means a lot of things really. It means chalk drawings on the pavement, kites flying, bubbles being blown out of wands, flowers blooming, gardens thriving, and lawns being mowed. It means pink lemonade, popsicles, watermelon, and s'mores.

Summer means fun- even as an adult. There are about a bazillion reasons that I love summer, but today, I'm sharing my five favorite reasons!

Beach, Beach, Beach

You're probably tired of hearing me yammer on about being from the beach and missing it like crazy, but #sorrynotsorry. ;)
When the weather gets warmer, all I want is that beachy breeze, the waves, and the ability to lay out on my towel and read a book or a magazine.
It's a beautiful thing. And if you have an opportunity, I would urge you to go to the beach this Summer!

Freckled-Faces

My maiden name was "White". And growing up, it was a long standing joke that I was a "White girl". And boy is that ever true! My skin is so white during the winter. It almost glows. And when Summer rolls around, my body gets confused and doesn't really tan so much as it freckles. From far off, I may look like I have a decent(ish) tan, but we you get closer you will quickly see that my "tan" is actually just a large cluster of freckles. ha!
I used to want to be a perfectly-tan, beach-babe, but I have learned to appreciate and even love my freckles as I've gotten older. I think they are cute, and they make me feel unique (in a good way).
So to me, part of Summer time is getting all those freckles back, and I look forward to their arrival every year.

Water! Lot's of Water

I already talked about how much I love the ocean, but honestly, any type of water makes me happy- especially during the Summer. I love going to the pool, dipping my feet in a stream, paddle boarding on the lake, and even playing with the water hose when I'm watering flowers.
Water, for whatever reason, makes me feel free and light-hearted. I have no idea why. But when the temperatures rise and I am better able to enjoy the water, it makes my heart so happy!

The Smell of Sunscreen

Being from the beach, sunscreen was always a pretty prominent smell during Summer. All the extra-white tourists were trying to keep from turning extra-crispy, resulting in an over-abundance of sunscreen use.
As a result, the smell now reminds me of long days at the beach swimming, picking up seashells, and going for walks with my family and friends. Good memories. Good smells.
And I miss it so much that you can often find me using sunscreen as my lotion whether I'm going outside or not.

Ice Cream for Days

I grew up with a family who loves ice cream- but really, who doesn't love ice cream? We ate it year-round, but once Summer arrived, it was constant. Mama would always make dinner, we'd eat together as a family, and then after dinner we would continue watching TV and each have a bowl of ice cream. Sometimes we would go sit out on our porch swing as the sun was setting.

Summer is filled with amazing memories. Ones that I want to keep alive. I want to continue to enjoy the water, and take advantage of when it's warm enough to swim in the pool, go to the beach, and kick around in a stream. I want to embrace my freckles, the smell of sunscreen, and all the other joys that come along with the season.

Believe it or not, Summer is not my favorite season, but it is one that I enjoy immensely, and I don't want that to ever change.

What does Summer mean to you? Is it a happy time? What is your favorite part about the season?

Grace & Delight

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Grace. What do you think of when you hear that word? How about "delight"? What do those words mean to you?

When I was at the beach recently, I was able to spend some time walking on the beach with my friend, Grace (not to be confused with the concept of grace 😋) as we talked about our lives, what God had been teaching us, and everything in between.

As we talked, the subject of God's grace and delighting in Him came up. And while neither of those topics are exactly easy to grasp right off the bat, they are both critical parts of the Christian faith. So today, I want to share a little bit about our conversation with you.

Learning from Your Bliss

Last Friday, I hopped into my car after a half-day at work. I drove away from Charlotte, excited to arrive at my destination: Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina.

Ocean Isle is comforting. I grew up there. It's beautiful, it's where my friends and family are, and it's a lot less busy than a more commercial beach. Walking into the waves of Ocean Isle offers a certain kind of bliss that only comes from feeling completely at home. 

Vacations- This is How I Do It

I am exciting to be linking up with Grace Mountain Diaries and The Boutelle Family Blog today for their monthly "This is How We Do It" link-up.

I haven't been on many vacations in my life, but they were always good when we did go. We had several memorable trips that we took as a family, but even when we didn't get to go on vacation, my family always made life sweet and fun.
We were always spending time together, always watching movies, reading, or playing games- even when my parents were exhausted, they still made it happen.

To me, that's vacation. It's not where you go, it's who you are with. Vacation is about loving life with those you cherish most. That almost sounds new-age-y: "Vacation is a state of mind"...  :p

But seriously, vacation is what you make of it. Whether you jet off to Paris, stay at a B&B in the next town over, or remain in the comfort of your own home, a vacation is still a vacation. Relax. Sleep more. Eat out at a nice restaurant that you usually would't go to. Go for a walk on the beach. Stroll under the night sky. Frolic in a field of wildflowers. Hike your favorite trail. Swim in the sea.
Whatever your favorite thing is, do it. And do it with your favorite people. Whether you are single and taking a trip with girlfriends, or married and enjoying time with your main-squeeze, make your time-off count.

If you are close to your parents and grandparents, you could also use your vacation time to go visit them. The last few times Taylor and I have had a break, we've gone to see my family. Now, I will say, since I'm from the beach, that trip is advantageous in more than one way. But even if your family lives somewhere not-so-exciting, you will still enjoy going. Ask them if they are up for visitors, and if you can be tourists with them in their town. Go to their favorite restaurants, go with them to the park where they walk every evening. Join them on their weekly trip to the ice cream shop. Relax with them. Laugh with them. Cherish each moment with them.

Those are just a few pictures from our last beach trip (right after Easter). It may be a while until we get to go back, but I am thankful for our time there. This was our vacation: we got a few gorgeous days at the beach and it was also a fantastic time with family and friends. I love that we got the whole package. Some people aren't able to do that, but if you are, take the opportunity. It's a blessing!


What do you do for vacation? How often do you get to have a vacation or staycation?