...and don't forget your sunscreen

*The lovely and ridiculously witty Alyson from Alyson Is Neat was amazing enough to guest write today's post while I am away. Please do yourself a favor and visit her blog. You'll be glad you did.  XO Robyn

I want to say a huge thank you to Robyn for asking me to do a guest post on her blog while she is on vacation.

Hey, speaking of vacation... I am going on vacation later this summer.  I love packing my beach bag for the beach or the pool and just wanted to share what I carry in my beach bag.  (Think of this as that game, "I'm going to the pool and I'm taking an Alligator..."  Then the next person adds something with a B, C...  you get the point.  I won't be going in that direction though!).  First off, can we take a moment and talk about how much I love sarongs?  I hate most swim suit cover ups.  They all look the same (some oversized tunic, in a gauzy fabric, in an obnoxious color or white, with metallic hoo-ha on it).  I play it simple and go with a sarong.  You can wear it several different ways, find them in a multitude of styles and colors, and because of their thin fabric, they dry pretty fast.  They are perfect when you are lying out in the sun and start to feel a little weary, just throw this over your shoulders, legs, chest, stomach for some fast easy relief from the sun.  Also, hats are a must.  A burn on your scalp just plan sucks.  What else do I like to take with me?

A towel.  A big fluffy beach towel... not one from your bathroom linen closet.  They aren't big enough.

Sunscreen.  Like Robyn, this milky white skin does not tan... So I do as every good fair skinned woman should do, and lather on some SERIOUS sun block.  I love the Banana Boat spray sport kind.  It is easy to apply and it stays on really well.  Also, more important it works.  It is sticky and a little greasy but totally worth it to not get burned.  Also, if I don't want to feel too greasy and sticky... I use Coppertone Faces on my whole body.  I mean why not?

Baby powder and agua.  Baby powder works really great to get sand off of your skin (and also gets that stanky fish smell off your skin too).  And when you are outside this summer, make sure to stay hydrated.  No one like the dehydrated chick at the party.

A stretchy knit dress.  I have chosen a swimsuit cover up that is actually a skirt, but I just use it as a strapless dress.  Its knit which means I can throw it in my bag and then when its time to hit up the beach-side bar or restaurant, I can be ready from the beach.  When you start to feel a little chilly, throw your sarong around your shoulders!

Sarong: Hawaii

Hat: Thrifted

Sunglasses: Thrifted

Swimsuit: Victoria's Secret

Bag: Old Navy

Flip Flops: Havianas, Urban Outfitters

Black knit dress: Target

 Alyson,  AlysonIsNeat