Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Five Summer Essentials

Having just shopped for, tried and fallen in love with a few beach essentials, I want to share my finds, plus one trick I learned for leaving sand at the beach.

Sport-Brella SUPER-BRELLA Umbrella  

I have tried many variations of the beach cabana and tent and this umbrella far exceeds anything I've tried. For starters, you don't need to be Houdini to figure out how to set it up and collapse it. It also comes in various sizes so you can find something that works for your family, not just the youngest. Below are key stats from Amazon.

  • UPF 50+ sun and weather protection and water repellent, protects over 99.5% of UVA and UVB rays
  • Side zippered windows for efficient airflow
  • Easiest setup sun shelter available thanks to folding umbrella action. Includes carry bag and ground stakes.
  • Internal pockets for valuables and gear


JJ Cole Outdoor Blanket

Perfect for the beach or really anywhere you want to create a place for you and your kids to sit, this is our family go-to blanket. As you can see, you can fold this (easy to do) into a compact blanket that has a built in carry strap. The material is water resistant so no need to worry about wet bathing suits or spills. Easy to wipe clean and easy to brush off sand.








Stearns Puddle Jumpers Life Jacket

Without question, my family would not enjoy beach vacations or trips to the pool without these life jackets. First and foremost, they are U.S. Coast Guard approved so I feel confident in its design and quality as a flotation aid. My children have never complained about wearing this vest which is a huge bonus. Unlike others, it doesn't limit arm movement, come up around their necks or require a crotch strap.











Baby Powder = Instant Sand Remover
A mother of three whose children are older than mine passed down to me this amazing trick of using baby powder to remove sand from hands, feet, faces, and the many other places we find sand on our kiddos. Apply generously, rub the sand covered surface and watch the sand magically fall away. To learn more, check out My favorite beach trick.

Scout bags.

FINALLY! A company has produced durable, sensible, stylish beach and pool bags for families, From bags that could hold half a dozen towels + beach toys to lunch bags, Scout makes it all. Though I love the patterns and variety of bags, the bottom line is exactly what the company promotes on its site:




Travel John Jr. - Disposable Urinal Bags.
Not kidding. These have saved me. For the child who is potty trained, but there's no place to go or no time to get there. For the toddler who is in the midst of potty training and you don't want to carry around a little portable potty, these will save you.



If this weren't a blog targeted towards parents, I would refrain, but here's what you need to know. Thank you, Amazon. "They are convenient, unisexed, sanitary, personal urinals containing "Liqsorb", the key ingredient that makes this work. Liqsorb is a combination of an exclusive biodegradable non-woven fabric pouch containing a biodegradable polymer substance that immobilizes bacterial growth quickly - absorbing liquid waste and turning it into an odorless, spill-proof solid gel bag that is non-toxic and waste disposal safe. The unisex adapter makes it easy for anyone and everyone, even children, to use while sitting (providing there is the use of gravity with an unobstructed, free-flowing opening) or standing, and a spill guard prevents back flow during use."

Now go buy them! 



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