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!

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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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Psalms 100:4 (NIV)
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