Beach Bag Essentials

Today I'm leaving to head to the beach for the weekend and I could not be more excited! I'm going to my cousins' beach house in Maine with my dad's whole family, a tradition that we do every year. They have a private beach in their backyard (so cool, right?!), so my whole weekend will legitimately be spent at the beach!

If I forget something for the beach at the house, I could legitimately just walk up the stairs leading to their lawn and into the house to get it. However, that's such a hassle so I like to make sure I'm always prepared. There are just some essentials that I can't leave for the beach without!

o n e || beach bag

I have the cutest beach bag that I snagged during Lilly's endless summer sale last year! Since the sale is basically at the end of summer, I haven't had a chance to use it yet. It's huge, and I know it will fit everything I need!

t w o || reusable water bottle

I have a pink CamelBak that I love to use because it's way easier than carrying a case of water around. I almost always have my CamelBak full of lemon water or just regular water -- perfect for staying hydrated at the beach.

t h r e e || sunscreen

Although I like to pretend that I will tan, I know I won't. I will basically get burnt ... VERY burnt. I carry sunscreen with me whenever I go outside because nothing is worse than having a painful sunscreen, especially while on vacation!

f o u r || sunglasses

I can't be seen without my sunglasses in the summer! I hate being outside and having to squint just to see because the sun is so bright. I absolutely love my RayBan Wayfarers, and I know they'll get good use this weekend!

f i v e || summer reads

I'm such a bookworm during the summer, especially while at the beach! There is just something so peaceful about sitting in a comfy chair with the sun shining on you while reading a good book at the beach (especially when they are summer reads for every mood!). Last time I went to Maine, I legit read for like 9 hours straight while on the beach ... #SorryNotSorry. I went to the library a couple of days ago to pick up some more books for Maine, but I have a feeling I'll need to go again before leaving today!

s i x || snacks

What's better than snacking on the beach? I've been eating way healthier lately, and I've discovered a new obsession with organic granola bars and protein bars! I'm definitely going to bring some up to snack on because being in the sun always makes me hungry.

s e v e n || headphones

When I don't feel like reading at the beach anymore, listening to Pandora or Spotify is always relaxing. It's a good idea to bring headphones so that way everyone else around you doesn't have to listen to your music too! However, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up watching a couple of episodes of One Tree Hill on Netflix ... I'm just obsessed!

What are some things you like to bring to the beach?