This post is where I’d put my list of needs for a tropical vacation… if I had one!
Prior to a week ago, I had two vacations planned that involved surf, sand, and sun. An unfortunate death and recognition of the concurring pandemic, both trips have been cancelled. I am devastated, disappointed, but do we wallow? Yes, a little bit. BUT THEN WE MOVE FORWARD AND PLAN.
In short: Aaron and I were to visit the Keys this weekend, but due to unforeseen circumstances, our trip was cancelled. As well, our planned beach trip for New Years’ was ALSO cancelled due to the fact that visiting ANY hotel right now, even BEFORE the holidays, is just ASKING to get COVID.
But again, we press on: my mom has preemptively decided that if COVID vaccinations go through and the world returns to normal, we will have a cruise vacation for New Year’s 2021! As well, Aaron has suggested that we rebook our Keys weekend for Valentine’s Day. How romantic, right? I feel lucky and grateful that I have such caring and generous people in my life.
If all goes well, and we all get to enjoy tropical vacations by this time next year, PAY ATTENTION! This is where you find out the absolute ESSENTIALS that you should be throwing into your bag.
1. Sunscreen. This should be on everyone’s list, and yet, people forget this all the time! Any skinfluencer, beautuber, celebrity will tell you: moisturizer and sunscreen are EVERYTHING. Skin is your body’s biggest organ! Ya gotta take care of it. Something with at least 30 SPF should keep you safe. Be sure to reapply! The only lobsters on your trip should be in the water, crawling around and avoiding being put on a plate.
2. Sunglasses. Again, should be intuitive! I like to bring two pairs, because sometimes I like to match my swimsuit with my shades to be a LOOK. I just purchased these sunglasses after being inspired by THIS TikTok. Hailey Baldwin who?
3. Oversized tee shirt(s). I will never deny that having a sweet, sassy, even SEXY, coverup is ideal for a poolside vacation… BUT your skin will be happy for the break. Take a break from your crochet slip on cover up with one of the fifty XXL charity tee shirts for a fun run you never even ran. No? Just me? Similar note: bring a pair of oversized PJS. Not much feels worse than the pretty, form fitting pjs you brought to look cute when you sip coffee on your balcony overlooking the ocean rubbing up against your burnt shoulders while you sleep!
4. MULTIPLE PAIRS OF FLIP-FLOPS. LISTEN: LIFE. HAPPENS. Your ol’ reliable flip flops will snap. The comfy shoes will get too wet to function. Just bring a back-up pair. Don’t walk down to the beach in sneakers! Sneakers? Who even are you?
5. A Good Book! They’re called “trashy beach reads” for a reason. Also, let me soapbox for a moment: this is a VACATION. You should be kicking back, relaxing, and listening to the sounds of the ocean. By all means, sunscreen it up and then spend thirty minutes taking a million photos and only posting one. After that, put the phone down and pick up a book (or a Kindle, if you’ve got one!). You can scroll on your phone in your AirBnB/hotel room later after your post-sea swim-shower.
6. Swim goggles. This one particularly hits home if you like the ocean. Half the time, I don’t even get to do a proper swim in the sea because I don’t want to get water in my eyes! If you just intend to doggy paddle in the pool, by all means leave these at home, BUT if the sea calls you (and no one knows how far it goes) like it calls me, buy a pair at Target. Live your inner mermaid (merman!) fantasies.
7. Leave-in conditioner. Step 1: Go for a swim. Step 2: Add a leave in conditioner as you tan. Step 3: Rinse off in the ocean. Give your hair some TLC while you sit in the hot sun! You’ll thank me later when you have beach bombshell waves.
8. White shirt/dress. Do it. Get the tan, then show it off at dinner later. A good off-the-shoulder crop top sends a clear message: I’M ON VACATION, AND I BAKED AT 350 DEGREES UNTIL I WAS GOLDEN BROWN.
9. Aloe Vera. Maybe you don’t burn! Congratulations! If you are pale and sensitive like me, don’t sit in agony in your hotel room after day 1. Behold my strategy: shower right after you get back to the room (related note: take your swimsuit off in the shower. I don’t care if you barely so much as walked the beach… you have sand in your swimsuit. Don’t track sand in your room. It’s coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere). If you get out of the shower and realize that the post-hot shower skin flush isn’t going away (and uh… kinda stings?), turn the AC up to full blast and apply aloe vera gel. Draw the curtains, make the room as dark as possible. Remember when I said not to scroll in the sun because you can do that later? Now’s the time. If your back is burned, lie on your tummy. If it’s your chest, vice versa! Sit in the dark and nap, scroll, watch tv, with that aloe on your body. If you don’t decide to sleep in the cool dark sanctuary of your room, HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE. If you can, don’t go out that night. Sure, go to dinner with your family, friends, or partner, but don’t go crazy. Get back to your room, reapply the aloe vera, let it dry, and wear a big pair of pajamas to bed. Stay under the umbrella the next day and you should be in relatively good shape!
10. Beach bag. The bigger, the better, to put it all together! Your beach bag should be an oversized tote that can carry an extra shirt, your sunscreen, your towel, and depending on your situation, an oversized sheet to place on the sand so you’re not lying directly on the sand! A good carry-all keeps your ducks in the row. If you know your sunscreen is in THIS pocket and your chapstick is in THAT zipper, you can put your focus on where it matters: getting you your zen.
Sunblock up, then cool it on down. Vacations are your time, so enjoy!
Psst! If you’re looking for more basic travel tips, click here!