My 10 Beach Bag Must-Haves!

There's a reason why beach bags are so huge: there are a lot of things you need to being with you! It may be mid-August, but to me, summer is still in full swing. It is hot and sunny, and that can only mean one thing... time to head to the beach (or pool!).

Over time, I've nailed down the beach bag to an exact science. Here are the products I find are must haves in my beach bag:

1) Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen (for body & face)
I've raved about these products over and over. It's the first sunscreen I've ever used that feels hydrating on my skin rather than greasy. It also smells great and gives you the protection you need from the sun!

2) SPF protection for lips
Just like the rest of your skin, your lips need to be protected too! I bring just a basic lip balm with some SPF in it. I really like the Nivea one.

3) A big water bottle
Staying hydrated when you're in the sun is so important. I always like to bring a really big water bottle with me.

4) Sun Hat
I have a huge, floppy sun hat that I only bring with me when I'm at the beach. It protects your scalp from the sun and gives your face some shade. Plus, it's pretty cute.

5) Book or Magazine
There is nothing quite like reading a good book or flipping through your favourite magazine while by the water. I always make sure to bring one with me when I feel like relaxing for a bit.

6) Snacks!
It's always a good idea to bring some snacks with you to the beach. I have 2 types of snacks I like to bring with me: a finger food, like popcorn, and a fruit. Watermelon is the best on hot days!

7) Towel & Cover-up
If you're planning on going in the water, obviously you can't forget a towel (I'm pretty notorious for forgetting basic things like that!). I also bring a loose, comfy cover up or dress to wear on top of my bathing suit afterwards.

8) Sunglasses
So, your skin, lips and scalp are protected... what about your eyes? I always bring sunglasses wherever I go!

9) Flip Flops
This is pretty self explanatory. As much as the feeling of sand beneath your feet is great, sometimes it can get a bit hot, or you want to walk around and need something easy you can throw right on.

10) After-sun lotion
After a long day outside, I love applying some after-sun lotion. The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration (surprise, surprise) one is my favourite. It is extremely hydrating but also contains aloe, so it is cooling on the skin. Bonus: it smells fantastic.

Bonus things to bring!
If you're going to the beach on a super sunny day, you might want to bring a beach umbrella with you to create some more shade. If you're going with a group of friends, I'd recommend bringing something to play some music and a camera to take pictures! I also like to bring hand sanitizer with me, for when I decide to eat a bit after getting my hands all sandy and dirty.

The BEST and EASIEST Waffle Recipe! (Blogmas Day 9)

When it starts to get chilly out, I find myself making waffles pretty often. In fact, our Sunday breakfast usually consists of waffles of some kind. And in my house, I'm the designated waffle chef. I have the best recipe for waffles that are truly delicious AND any lazy chefs dream; its all done in one bowl, with ingredients everyone has in their kitchen. Literally foolproof and delicious. Perfect for Christmas morning! Makes anywhere from 8-12 waffles, depending on the size of your waffle iron. Ingredients: 2 cups of All-Purpose flour 1 tablespoon of baking powder 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar 1/4 teaspoon of salt 2 eggs (beaten) 1 teaspoon of vanilla (but you can add another 1/2 teaspoon if you want a stronger vanilla taste!) 1-3/4 cups of milk 1/4 cup vegetable oil Directions: 1) In a big bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, sugar and salt) 2) Create a well in the center of your dry ingredients and add your wet ingredients 3...

Review: Lush Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo

Hello there! So I've been on the hunt for a shampoo to tame my wild hair for ages, so I picked up this during my recent Lush visit in hopes that it would help with my thick, coarse, dry hair. According to Lush , this has: Stout to calm: For all hair types but especially beneficial for fluffy, hard-to-manage hair. Friend to all scalps: Yeast improves the health of the hair and scalp. For a polished finish: Organic lemon juice is a gentle cleanser that adds masses of shine and gloss. After using this for a little while now, I can say that I'm pretty much still on the fence about it. Pros: Though my hair is still a little frizzy, its definitely a bit better than it used to be. My hair is also softer to the touch and shinier. Cons: I've noticed my hair gets greasier a lot quicker since using this shampoo. I also feel as though it may be drying out my scalp, but it'll take a little more time to know for sure if its because of th...

Weekly Pinterest Picks: Best Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes!

Hello hello! To any fellow Canadians reading, happy Thanksgiving weekend! And for those who don't celebrate Thanksgiving just yet, you might want to keep this post in a safe place. I've gathered 12 of the most delicious dessert recipes Pinterest has to offer so you can impress your Thanksgiving guests! Enjoy! Recipe 1 Recipe 2 Recipe 3 Recipe 4 Recipe 5 Recipe 6 Recipe 7 Recipe 8 Recipe 9 Recipe 10 Recipe 11 Recipe 12 What are your Thanksgiving plans? Do you have any recipes you swear by? Let me know! For more recipes like these and tons of other lovely stuff, follow me on Pinterest here xo

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