Consumed! Spend Your Sand Dollars |
The days are long… and hot. And we still have August to get through. What do you do in weather that makes you want to take an ice-cube shower? Get your swim on, of course, whether it’s at the beach or the pool, or even the sprinkler.
First, you’re gonna need a suit. Old Navy has you covered with a super cute spaghetti-strop top, boyshorts-bottom tankini available in brown and black for $39.50 or turquoise for $29.99. Sizes 1x-3x.
You’re all but ready, but you probably don’t want to drive a car or make a quick stop-off for soft drinks in just your swimsuit. These board shorts are a nice compromise that don’t involve getting completely dressed. And let’s face it—in July and August, no one wants to wear more clothing than strictly necessary$29.
That takes care of everything but your feet. Flip-flops are traditional, but it would be nice to have some that don’t look like everyone else’s. Try Agua Viva’s black havaianas pois for a nice graphic pattern that matches the black swimsuit. $20.
If you’re headed to the beach, don’t forget your umbrella. Two reasons: one, ten minutes in the baking sun and you’re going to be dying for a little shade, and two, when you get in the ocean, keeping an eye on your distinctive umbrella is what lets you know how far the current has pushed you down the beach from your stuff. And you can’t get much more distinctive than this sunflower umbrella. $29.
If you’re more of a morning-laps type, or you know someone who is, this waterproof mp3 player might be just the thing. Even if you’re not a sporty type, loading this up with some soothing tunes and floating across the deep end might be a nice way to spend an afternoon. $56.95.
Soaking up the sun is nice. Soaking up the sun without looking like a lobster tomorrow or a leather handbag ten years from now: even nicer. And finding a high-SPF sunscreen that’s easy to put on has gotten way easier over the past few years. My personal favorite is this Copperton 50 SPF spray. Unlike some “spray” sunscreens, it’s aerosol, not a pump. Result: even, complete coverage and the easiest application ever.
If you’re going to get yourself an MP3 player, you have to get something for the kid, no? I suggest the radio control shark. I suggest it because I would like to have a remote-control shark. Wouldn’t everybody? $24.99.
You’re going to need something to sit on while the kid drives the shark. For that matter, you’re going to need to dry yourself off at some point. Then dry the kid off. Then dry the shark off. Target, home of all things cute, has a darling watermelon beach towel, and what could be more summery? If your kid wants something cooler, they also have a nifty ”Surfer Crossing” beach towel. Cowabunga. $14.99.
It’s not strictly necessary, but if you leave the post-swim tangles in, sometimes they’re a pain to get out later. And besides, this small hairbrush from Pylones is so beachy it seems like an obvious inclusion on our list.< b>$17
Unless you have a pool in your backyard, you’re going to be going somewhere—the lake, the beach, the town aquatic center—to do your swimming. That means you need a beach bag. There are a million Hawaiian-shirt-print beach bags out there, but if you’ve been looking for something different, try Toss Designs’ version. At EBags, it’s marked down to $36, and it looks good enough to go anywhere, not just the beach. |
Eva Foster |
| About the author: |
| Eva Foster is a Ph.D. student by day, but retires at night to her underwater laboratory to produce photography, freelance writing, crafts, and death rays. She publishes The Windowshoppist . |
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