Hi friends,
I hope you’re having a blessed week so far. My husband and I were in Pittsburgh this past weekend attending the Garth Brooks concert. He did an amazing job. He was so energetic, and the entire crowd was so into it, they were singing along so loud that when the band paused, and the crowd took it over, you could hear far, far away.
Friends of my husband were in a local band and they performed Garth’s If Tomorrow Never Comes for us on our wedding night. So many memories and it’s amazing how a song can bring them rushing back. Needless it say, it was an amazing time and if you ever get the chance to see Garth in concert, I highly recommend seeing him.
However, the best part was the special meaning the concert had for my husband Mike and me. We met when my husband asked me to dance while we were both attending the University of New Mexico and it was at a country music hangout. Garth was had just broken onto the scene and we fell in love as Garth’s songs hit the charts.
I’m so thrilled summer is almost here, and I’ve got my beach bag packed up for another trip we’re taking this week—this time to Florida. I just finished packing my beach bag and thought I’d share a sneak peek of what’s inside. These are my summer favorites.
- First, you have to start with the right bag. This little beauty is my new favorite:
- Spotify and Amazon music loaded on my phone for the ride there. I’ve got pretty eclectic taste when it comes to music, so I’ve got everything from Garth’s Calling Baton Rouge, to Van Morrison’s Brown-eyed Girl, to Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse to Tenth Avenue North.
- Sunscreen is essential, especially because I have Lupus and I need to be very careful in the sun. Our go-to, family favorite sunscreen is Sun Bum. It works fabulously even with our hours spent swimming and walking on the beach. Not to mention, it smells delicious with a combo of coconut and surf wax.
- Lip balm is right next to the importance of sunscreen and once again, I use Sun Bum. It’s got sunscreen in it and the flavors are fabulous. My fav is pomegranate, but there are so many yummy ones to choose from.
- My Billabong beach blanket. There’s nothing softer to lay on.
- Last but certainly not least, I’ve got a fabulous book to read and right now it’s Becky Wade’s Sweet on You. Becky has been a friend for years and her writing is emotional, romantic and faith-filled. We have a fun Bookend Your Summer giveaway going on. Since Becky’s release kicks off summer and mine—The Killing Tide—releases in August to bookend your summer, we are doing a special celebration giveaway. Here’s the link to enter:
Question for you:
What’s the number must-have in your beach bag?
I look forward to your answers!
Have a blessed day!
Dani
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My sun glasses.
Me too, Bonnie! I have a special pair just for the beach… knowing the sand will probably scratch them. And if the ocean decides to claim them as their own then I’m not disappointed that I’ve lost my favorite pair!
I do the same thing, Joy! I buy toss aways for the beach.
An umbrella for shade, and snacks always gotta have the snacks.
Agreed that sunglasses are a must! Joy, I never considered having a special pair for the beach. That’s a brilliant idea!
I always take a pair of chair clips… mine look like alligators. They keep my beach towel in place in case it’s windy!
Oooh. That’s a great idea. I didn’t even know they made such things. Shopping time!
Thanks for mentioning Sweet on You and our Bookend giveaway, Dani! I always have a visor in my beach bag to protect my face from the sun, but also so that I can slant it just so for maximum reading enjoyment. I don’t want to squint while reading. 🙂 Additionally, I have hair bands in my beach bag, so that I can pile my hair on top my head.
With you on the hair bands. I always wear one of my wrist as you never know when you’ll want it up and away from your face. I also bring my favorite baseball cap. Need to be able to read without squinting like you said 🙂
Baby powder so I can put it on my hands to get the sand off before eating lunch or reapplying sunscreen.
Ooh. Brilliant idea! Thank you 🙂
Amy, the baby powder also works great from getting the sand off of your feet and legs when you’re getting ready to go home! 🙂 Definitely a must have when going to the beach!
Books, sunscreen, disinfectant wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, water, snacks, beach towel, umbrella, phone and lip balm.
You are prepared! Great job 🙂
My must-haves in my beach bag (besides sunscreen, lip balm, and a good book, of course) are my prescription sunglasses and a sun-protection hat with a wide brim all the way around. It protects my head, face, ears and neck, all vulnerable to damage from the sun. I have to be careful also, but love the beach too much to give it up!
#1 beach bag item is a ziploc baggy for my medical device so I can go in the water. With my fair skin sunscreen is a very close second.
I must have a book and sunglasses (of course my sunglasses are already on my head).
Yes Debbie!!! My sunglasses practically live on my head! Haha!!
My number one is sun block. Blessed with fair skin, freckles and auburn hair. I don’t tan, I turn varying sheds of red!
I like waterproff and large ones.
My number one would be sunblock with a book as runner-up. 🙂 Thanks for a chance to win!I absolutely love your books!
Awww. Thanks so much, Lela!
This is a hard one to answer since I haven’t had a beach bag in so many years! I’d have to say sunblock, beach towel, and a book (considering the next time i’m able to do a relaxing beach day won’t be til the boys are grown up and i’m not having to watch them every second in the water).
#1 relaxing item in the bag = umbrella and book
Definitely a very different beach experience when you have little ones 😀
I have to have similar items to yours, but I also add water and a snack.
A good book and a bottle of tea!!
The number one must have is a book! Can’t go anywhere without one! Thanks so very much for the chance to win!
Hi Dani,
Sounds like your summer is turning out to be a really fun one.
When I go places and I have a beach bag, I always make sure I have one of your books in the bag and that is Because you are my favorite author to read. This yr I am going on a lot of trips. First a family wedding, second a missions trip to Kenya and third to HI I am so excited.
And I also have to have music to keep me occupied too on the plans.
Awww. Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Danie.
Sounds like you have an action-packed summer. Love that you’re going on a missions trip to Kenya. Pray it’s a blessing for everyone there and everyone going on the trip <3
Plenty of books and some good sunscreen!
I would bring sunscreen, bottle of water, a visor, snacks, towel, and several good books to read. Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Sunscreen….I burn soooo easily, a hat a cover/wrap, towel, water bottle and a book!
My hubby and I saw Garth Brooks at a concert when we first started dating, Doug Stone opened for him. It was fantastic. I don’t have a “beach bag” (I love yours) per say but it always has my water bottle full (I am always thirsty, I have a dry mouth since I was a kid), I usually wear a sun hat (they are lace cowboy hats in pretty summer colors), at least 1 book and maybe my kobo or kindle and a snack!
Oh how fun. Doug Stone is great too!
Love your hats. They sound so adorable.
A good pair sunglasses, sunscreen, coconut water and a thick towel. A paperback book and a few finger snacks kind of round out what is in my beach bag.
Sunglasses, a bottle of water, plenty of sunscreen, a beach towel, and a great book!
Sunscreen is #1! I’ve had skin cancer twice and don’t want a repeat. Also a big hat, sunglasses, water and a beach towel.
Oh. So sorry about the skin cancer. It’s wonderful you’re so careful to wear a big hat. I love wearing my baseball hat to keep the sun off my face and when we aren’t swimming or walking the beach, we’re in the shade under the canopy.
I have learned to have a zip lock bag for my phone to keep sand and water from harming it. Also for me, a back up pair of eye glasses incase the worst happens. I cannot see without correction. And absolute must…water bottle!
My number 1 item would be a wire brimmed hat to protect my scalp…can’t afford another burn😻
My beach bag must have is a good book, blanket, sun tan lotion,sunglasses and baby wipes.
How fun that Garth has such special meaning to you both!
Number one in my beach bag is sunscreen, and then beach towels, and then… extra beach towels, because someone always gets their first one soaked before they actually need it to dry off and change. I usually have baby wipes too so I can wipe my hands off after reapplying sunscreen to everyone. Thanks for such a fun giveaway!
Books, sunglasses, water in a reusable bottle, sunscreen, my new beach towel with a Vitamin Sea logo, and a big hat. I also need a chair and an umbrella.
Sunscreen a must , my favorite book, and my sunglasses plus my beach towel! Thanks Dani!
I would have a super sunscreen in my beach bag. My maternal grandmother had Lupus and my Dad had Lupus, so I’m very careful in the sun.
Hmmm…I think sunscreen would be #1. Then I would also have my reader sunglasses, bottle of water, snacks, towel, hand sanitizer/wipes, lip balm,
a good book, and our beach cabana. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!
I need my Kindle and a HUGE cup of ice water…
My #1 must-have is sunscreen! My family and I don’t tan so we have to protect ourselves. We also never leave home without snacks, beach towels, sunglasses, and a book!
A cold drink and a book.
A book and cold water.
My “Must Haves” are Simple – 1) Water (We always freeze a bunch of bottles the night before so they will last longer!); 2) Kindle Paperwhite (Takes care of the GLARE!); 3) iPhone – ICE (In Case of Emergency), Music, Back up Kindle.
I like to take my sunglasses, hat, a good Christian book, a zip lock bag for my phone, a zip lock bag for shells and a box of Cheese-Its! We are going to be chaperones for the first time with our church’s youth group beach trip soon. Prayers please!:)
Hi Dani!
In my beach bag I would have sunscreen (I have Roscea and sun allergy), big wide-rimmed hat, sun glasses, water, a beach chair (if I get on the ground/beach I can’t get up 😉 ) and a great book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Blessings, Tina
Well, don’t hate me, but I am not a beach person. I would much rather go to the mountains. I would definitely have to pack books.
books and sunscreen!