What’s in My Summer Tote Bag
Time to unzip that bag and spill the (sandy) secrets. Today, I’m sharing What’s In My Summer Tote! It’s getting to be vacation time, and that might mean the lake, or the beach. Either way, I like to keep my tote bag stocked with all the beach bag essentials for a fun, stress-free day in the sun. I’ve learned the hard way what happens when you forget the sunscreen or the first aid kit (hello, insect bites and scrapes).
So here it is: my go-to summer stash!
Beach Please
Let’s start with the bag itself! This heavyweight canvas tote bag is water-resistant and has ample room for all of your beach essentials. It’s available in several other sayings like “Road Trip” or “Lake Life”, which is great since it’s the perfect size for a weekend getaway!
Mesh Beach Bag
I like this lightweight mesh beach tote because it is huge, easy to clean, and lets the sand fall right through (hallelujah). It has pockets galore, which means no more digging around for your lip balm or sunglasses while yelling “Where’s my stuff?” like I do every 20 minutes. ha! I love that you can see what’s in it without opening it. Plus, it comes in a ton of colors.
Oversized Beach Blanket – Sandproof & Waterproof
This sand-free blanket is the MVP of my beach vacation game. It folds up teeny tiny but spreads out huge — so there’s room for me, the grandkids, and whatever snacks they sneak out of my cooler. It’s waterproof, quick drying, and even comes with stakes to keep it from flying away when the ocean breeze kicks in. Total game changer.
Sun Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
This is my go-to sunscreen, and not just because it smells like a tropical vacation. It has a broad spectrum SPF 50, goes on smoothly, and doesn’t leave me greasy. Plus, it’s reef-friendly and safe for the kiddos, too. I slather it on before I even leave the house — no wrinkles or harmful UV rays welcome here!
JBL Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
Because what’s a beach day without a few tunes? This JBL speaker is waterproof, compact, and gets surprisingly loud. Perfect for a little background music while I read or just sit and watch the waves. It comes in a lot of fun, summer colors and isn’t super expensive in case it gets buried in the sand.
White Flip-Flops – Amazon Essentials
You need a pair of flip-flops that can handle water, sand, and a walk to the concessions. These are cushy, simple, and match everything — perfect for throwing in your tote just in case you forget your “fancy” sandals. ha! They come in a variety of colors, so you can match your swimsuit.
Wide Brim Sun Hat – Foldable & Packable
I don’t mess around with crow’s feet and sun damage, Gurls. This sunhat is wide-brimmed, super cute, and collapses right into my tote without losing its shape. It’s the “don’t talk to me, I’m relaxing” hat of my dreams. Not a fan? I did an entire post on sun hats here.
Oversized Beach Towel – Absorbent & Plush
Because nothing’s worse than a towel that stays damp for hours. This oversized beach towel is soft, absorbent, and dries fast — great for wrapping around wet kids or claiming your seat in style. It’s big enough to share, but you’d be better off buying two, because you’ll never get it back!
Chair Clips for Beach Towels
Ever have your towel fly off your chair just as you finally sit down? These chair clips keep everything in place even when the ocean breeze is a little too strong. You can also use them to keep tablecloths secure, hang up wet suits, etc. And they’re bright enough to stand out against the sand.
Polarized Sunglasses
Gotta protect those eyes, Gurls! These sunglasses are stylish and block harmful UVA/UVB rays, and they come in a ton of shades (so yes, I have multiples). Bonus — they look way more expensive than they are, which Joe appreciates.
“Something in the Water” by Catherine Steadman
A beach read is a must. My sister mentioned she’s taking this one on her cruise so I decided to give it a try. I’m not big on suspense, but hey, it’s a Reese Witherspoon pick and she’s usually good.
Of course, I also pack:
- SPF lip balm (because my lips sunburned once and never again)
- First aid kit with band-aids, pain relievers, and antiseptic wipes (bless it)
- Ziploc Storage bag for wet clothes
- Fresh fruit, nuts, and sandwiches
- A little baggie with tweezers, just in case of splinters
- A small pouch for valuables
So there you have it, my functional list of What’s In My Summer Tote. These are the must-have beach bag essentials to keep your day fun, safe, and fabulous.
What are YOU packing in your beach bag this year?
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🙂 I like the oversized beach towel and clips.
😊Great items for the beach! I’m going to get the Sun Bum this year. I need a beach tote and the mesh option looks perfect. The chair clips are a great idea, too!
😊 thanks for this list.
Found it 🙂 This is a great post. I love the tote, the blanket, the little speaker and the sunscreen. All handy for a great beach day!
🙂 the beach is my happy place. Love everything here!
I love the over=sized beach blanket! A lot of great items in this post.
Prayers for the return of good health for your brother,
🙂 found it!
Stephanie
🙂Love the beach in summer! So many good ideas for summer trips. Prayers for your brother and all the family.
🙂 l need the foldable travel hat for my next vacation!
😊 great ideas and I love these outfit oversized beach towel!
Funny, I saw that exact mug and I should have bought. I thought it was too cute. You look so stylish in your beach outfit. I always struggle with what type of jewelry to wear and yours look effortlessly fabulous! No more wearing baseball caps for me, I’m packing a stylish straw one. Also, wanting to send your bother well wishes for a speedy recovery. Safe travels!
🙂 some great ideas here I haven’t seen before. Your brother and all the family are in my prayers.
🙂 So many great items in this post. Especially like that Beach Vibes tote!
🙂 I love Turkish towels. They are super absorbent and dry quickly.
Love the striped tee☺️
I always carry eye drops. Sting away for bugs and jellyfish.
Great recommendations.
🙂 I do water aerobics 2X a week the mint mesh bag is perfect to let the water shoes etc. drain. AND so reasonable priced!
Good Tuesday afternoon, Tania! I just saw your post about your brother’s surgery. Please know that he is in my thoughts & prayers. And also prayers for his speedy recovery💖 GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU, TANIA🙏🙏🙏
😊. Going to the beach next month. Fabulous suggestions.
🙂 That’s a great beach read –
😀. Love the oversized beach blanket!
🙏 for you and your family.
🙂 Love the mesh bag.
I am looking for a good sunscreen. I will give that one a try.
😎great post and great book
😀 sending prayers for your brother
Thanks for sharing whsts in your beach bag packing my for a upcoming trip
Found it 🙂 Love the little bluetooth speaker, and I put the book on hold at our local library. Prayers for your brother!
🙂 Might have to get the mesh bag.
😊 love a summer tote.
Hi Tania i am going to a wedding this weekend. Wearing a black straight sleeveless dress.With a fushia cardigan. What would you suggest to wear for shoes- earrings and purse? Thanks
I suggest neutral accessories since the dress and the cardigan will be the focus.
🙂 Love so many things in this post. The mesh bag, the oversized beach blanket (It’s huge!), the flip flops, the book . I already put the flip flops in my cart. Prayers all goes well for your brother. You and your sister think alike
🙃 very helpful information but unfortunately I’ll probably not make it to the beach this year 😕
😊Love your beach ideas! Prayers that all goes well with your brother’s surgery!
What great finds in your beach tote!! I even found the addition of a 😊! Love the beach and love your post!
I’ll have to invest in one of those towels. 😊
:} Love all the options!
🙂 I love suspense! Might have to look for that one.
😀some new ideas to get for the beach house- thanks
🙂
The oversized beach blanket is on my list for our next beach trip!
🙂 What a unique post! Loved it! 🙏ing!
🙂 Heading to the beach the end of July and see at least 2 thing I must have. Thanks for the post!! Prayers for your brother and all the extended family at this trying time.
☺️ Love the flip flops!
🙂 Might have to get that book and read it!
🙂 … and that’s why you need a roomy tote bag!!
🙂 Prayers for your brother and his Drs.
🙂 Good idea with the clear bags. We have a small pool 2 blocks away, so I pack a beverage in my refillable bottle with lots of ice. We can eat/drink in the concession area but not on the pool deck.
😊 love the ideas! I’ve been considering a wide brim hat.
😀 great suggestions and cute bags.
Prayers said for your brother, you and your family. Blessings to all. 😀 Great ideas for stocking the beach tote. I don’t live anywhere near a beach but planning a beach trip in September.
🙂
I have the oversized beach blanket under my Shibumi. The Shibumi is also a great beach accessory, but it isn’t allowed at all beaches .
🙂 Great items for a vacation.
praying for your brother.
🙂 Found it
Tania, that prayer for your brother was beautiful🙏🙏🙏
😊 I have read this book and it is suspenseful! You will like it. The chair clips are great to also hold tablecloths down outside. They are handy in many ways!!
Tania,
I hope and pray all goes well for your brother and family for his surgery. Safe travels for you to and from TN.
Rita
😊Thanks for the good ideas.
: ) Love my Sand Cloud towels. They live up to the hype.
Cute beach ideas! I do have a mesh beach bag and love it. Love the hat and flip flops!
🙂 found it. Love the turquoise flip flops. Prayers for your brother 🙏🏼
😊 great ideas! I recently found at our Dollar Store of all places a cute pink patterned zippered case for wet bathing suit. Put one in my DIL’s Mother’s Day package and one for me 😎.
😊 All great ideas for the beach 🏖️.
🙂 Lots of good ideas.
found it!
😊 Now to add the beach vacation!
🙂 Love the beach bag! So cute! Prayers for your brother!
🙂 good info
😊The oversized beach blanket is fabulous
🙂 Great suggestions! I have been thinking of updating our beach towels, our current ones are from 1990, and matched our boat at that time. Do you think it’s wasteful to change out towels after 35 years? lol. The turkish towels would be lots lighter and thinner, easier to carry. Prayers for your brother and family.
Jenice, I first thought you were serious about thinking it was wasteful to change your towels after 35 years. Lol!
🙂!! Praying for your brother and all of you. Your blog is the best!
🙂 Good recommendations!
🙂
Great items for a fun day.
I always add hand sanitizer too, for those just in case moments.
🙂 prayers for your brother 🙏
😀 great post I’m going to be purchasing several of these items. 🙏
found it!
prayers for your brother!! you look so cute in that cover up! wowza, that beach towel is huge.
😊 lots of great things. I’m going to check out that Bluetooth speaker.
😉 I’m looking at the Bluetooth speaker.
Thanks
😀great ideas, thanks. 🙏🏻
😀 Found it. Prayers for your brother.
Thank you!
😀didn’t find it & cute beach bags