random: hh goes to the beach!

 I'm heading out to the beach this weekend to spend time with my family!  Huzzah!

Here's the rundown of what I'm packing for 4 days at the beach:

Bosley cat wants to be packed, but isn't going.

 I like packing clothes that mix and match well for trips, so that I can have lots of options without carrying a huge suitcase.  I've got 1 dress, 4 shirts, a pair of shorts, a pair of pants, and 2 pairs of sandals.  Of course, I'm packing my favorite hot weather dress!

 I've got 3 tees - black, white, and dark blue, and a grey tank top.  All of them do reasonably well at hiding sweat (though ironically the black is the worst at it, it's pretty faded).  I like carrying extra shirts to the beach because I know I'm going to change clothes more than once in a day as I get sunscreen on things or go in and out of the water.

For a pop of color, I've got a new pair of pink shorts!

And my trusty linen wide leg pants.  I'm not packing much in the way of jewelry, I probably won't even wear what I pack.  But it makes me feel a little more put together just to have the option.  Add a few bathing suits, pajamas, and undergarments, and I'm ready to go!

While I'm thinking of the beach, there are two awesome things I've figured out over the years that make the HH beach experience much better.

I *hate* the feeling of having sand stuck to my feet.  I can stand it when I'm actually walking in the sand, but the rest of the time it just makes me cranky, and of course with my sweaty feet I have sand caked to them the second I take my shoes off, or even before if I'm in flip flops.

1st trick:  spray on suntan lotion.  Spray lotion is great because you don't have to rub it in.  You can just spray it right over your sand covered toes and not take your skin off by rubbing in sandy lotion.

2nd trick:  bring an extra water bottle.  I take a full bottle of water with me to the beach, just for pouring on my feet!  I'll rinse my feet off to sit on a blanket or a beach chair, and the minute I get off the sand heading back in.  It's ironic that the answer to sand sticking to your feet is to get them wetter, but it makes the experience so much better!  I'll even refill my water bottle with seawater if I run out before I'm ready to go.  I'm just rinsing off with it after all.

Happy beachgoing!