Inside my Beach Bag

Time to Snoop in my bag! I have always been so interested in knowing what's in other people's bags. I get immediately immersed into any magazine spread that lets me see inside a celeb's purse - Love that!  I am not just talking beach bags but everyday purses, tiny evening purses, luggage etc......  I find it to be very helpful to see what other girls are carrying as their personal essentials. Maybe I am forgetting something vital or I can collect ideas of how to condense with fewer products in my bag.  Anyway here is a look see inside what I have been packing this Summer for the beach or a day in the Sun.  I just got this 2-tone tote bag and I am in love.  Please don't judge over the fact that I am still not finished reading"Catching Fire." Also you may think it's strange that I carry a mini perfume, but the coconut scent reminds me of a tropical island and allows me to pretend I'm on one when I'm really on the brown water beaches at the Jersey shore haha. I would love to hear about what you are carrying in your beach bag.  Am I forgetting anything? Don't be shy, let me know.

x

Jen

1. Echo straw hat 2. DKNY towel 3. Water bottle 4. CK Swim skirt  5. Madewell sunglass case & Sheriff & Cherry sunglasses 6. Kate Spade Iphone case 7. Catching Fire 8. Earth Science Mint/Rosemary deodorant 9. Pacifica Indian coconut nectar 10. YES to Cucumbers facial towelettes 11. Coppertone Water Babies sunblock stick 12. Ipod shuffle 13. Coola plumeria sunscreen 14.Plum 15. Magazines 16. Evian Facial spray 17.Verloop beach bag tote.

Sunblock for Sensitive Skin

By now we all should know about the importance of Sunblock even on an ordinary day.   When it comes to a day at the beach or an all day outdoor event we have to step up our game to ensure that our skin is protected against the sun's harmful rays.  I have always found it to be quite difficult to find a great sunblock that does not irritate my skin AND actually stays on for more than an hour.   Now, I probably have more sensitive skin than the average beach going gal, but I can stand by my sunblock recommendations as great choices for anyone, even those with the toughest of skins.  For those of you who are just looking for a great all natural alternative, organics, paraben free, or oil free product look no further!  If you prefer not to fry like a pig and also avoid skin irritation, then one of these options is surely to work for you.  If you have stubborn freckles or moles that you constantly worry about then I have a tiny (pun intended) suggestion to help calm your nerves.  The following products are my savior sunblocks that I have tried and loved over the years.  Hopefully you find these suggestions helpful as it has taken me years to figure out what works best for my sensitive skin.

Coola sunblock is a moisturizing body sunscreen. I actually found this stuff for the first time in the Bahamas in a beach store.  This particular bottle is Plumeria scented which I love but it may not be for all.  No worries it also comes in scent free any many other scents.  This sunscreen is extremely gentle, hypoallergenic, water resistant, paraben free and best of all certified ORGANIC.  As if that wasn't enough special powers and goodness packed into one little bottle, it is also infused with antioxidants!  So lather up ladies because this stuff is luxuriously moisturizing and protective.  Check out their website  to see all of their other wonderful sunscreens, moisturizers and lip products.

Okay so we all know Neutrogena products.  You will already know if you like them or not.  I Love their facial sunscreens!  Reason being that they offer "no breakout" options.  This one is called Neutrogena Clear Face.  I have always and will always break out from applying just an ordinary sunscreen to my face.  This miracle cream does not cause me any break-outs and is oil free and waterproof.  When you apply it to your face it is not greasy at all, it feels clean and light.  Treat your face with some respect and pile on this oil-free sunblock!

As I mentioned in the beginning, I have a secret weapon I use on freckles and moles that I am most concerned about.  This  Coppertone Water Babies tiny sunscreen stick is it!  It is gentle enough for a baby but is perfect for fast re-application to troublesome or worrisome areas.  It is also easy to use as a lip sunscreen, which I always do.  I often keep it in my purse to apply to my nose, lips and moles.  Overall I love its convenience.

This one is for those of you who may not have super sensitive skin but want to apply something gentle and very defensive against the sun.  This is a new product by Neutrogena called Beach Defense.  I have tried this sunscreen and have not had any body break-outs or irritation, it's a Miracle! This is perfect for a long beach day, hence the name "beach defense" It is long lasting and has a built in barrier against sun and water.  This product is probably wonderful for most skin types.  This also comes in a spray.

Stay safe in the Sun!
XO
Jen
                                              

Beachy Casual

This week the fashionably festive girls are declaring it "Beach Week." Of course the clouds have rolled in to start the week but in a few days we will be back to sunny skies without that stifling horrible humidity.  This week our posts will be all beach related so stay tuned for our thoughts on everything from Sunblock to our ultimate beach playlist.  To kick off this Monday we posted some pictures of a day at the beach.  This is no ordinary beach, it is a tiny beach set in the city but it has sand and water so we were able to enjoy the view while soaking up some sun. I was hanging out with my friend Rupal who you have also seen here and here.  She was rocking an Orange beach dress with some amazing turquoise earrings.  Turquoise and Orange happen to be one of my favorite color combos of the Summer.  She said this dress was super comfortable and also airy.  It was definitely a beachy casual look for a beachy casual day. 

Beach Dress - Anthropologie 
Earrings - Anthropologie
Sunglasses - Ray Ban
Sandals - Fabrizio Chini
Floppy Hat - Echo - find similar
Turquoise bracelet - Stella & Dot
Multi-colored bracelet - Iwona
Stack ring - David Yurman

Budget, Bold and Ballin Buys

Wet N Wild - Coraline
 MAC - Vegas Volt
 Bobbi Brown - Calypso 

Summer is the perfect season for a beautiful Coral lip.  There are so many shades of coral out there that you are bound to find one that suits your skin tone.  Coral is also a fun alternative to red, being not quite as bold but not as boring as a pale pink lip. It also looks Marvelous with a tan!   Kelly has been on a Coral lip kick for quite awhile and she swears by  these brands.  She literally owns all 3 all of the above colors claiming that they are very similar but also great quality.  Her one recommendation is to add a gloss on top of or a balm underneath the Wet N Wild lip color.  While its long-lasting power makes it great it can be a bit drying.

Milly

Alice & Olivia

Notte by Marchesa

Every girl needs a great black party or cocktail dress in her life.  What could be more fun, elegant and feminine than a Lace cocktail dress? These dresses will always be wearable year round since they are black, classic and have slight vintage feel.  I love all 3 dresses above but I have to say, if I could spend the Ballin amount guilt free on that Marchesa dress, I would! Might I add that a Coral lip would look Fab with any of these dress options.

Steve Madden

BCBG 

Givenchy

A great combination with the above black lace dresses would be a pair of basic black & gold ankle strap heels.  A black ankle strap is definitely a wardrobe staple these days. All 3 pairs have their own pop of gold detailing without being too flashy.  While the Givenchy pair is gorgeous I would step right into any of these beauties. 

Which 3 options would you put together?