Escape the horrible stress and price of overpacking by traveling light on your summer getaway. Since overpacking for vacation is almost every girl's problem, I thought I would share my top 5 things to pack for this summer's fun travels!
Summer vacations are my favorite because I absolutely love lying beach or poolside. The nice thing about a summer beachy type vacation is that not many items are necessary to pack! Traveling light is the easiest way to travel because you don't have to pay extra money for a check in bag, and you experience less stress while trying to find what you want to wear. While more than what is listed below is necessary to bring on vacation, these are my top 5 items you should never forget to pack.
1. A cute bikini that makes you feel comfortable
Everyone has their own insecurities. It's hard not to have them in a society where we are raised to think that we need to look "perfect". From first hand experience, I know that wearing a bikini can sometimes be intimidating, and I'm sure you've experienced this as well. Try to remember that you are not the only one at the beach or pool who doesn't absolutely love their body, and realize that you are beautiful no matter what shape or size you are. As long as you have a bikini that you feel comfortable in, your confidence will shine through. My favorite place to shop for bikinis is Dianne's because they have such a vast selection of different styles and colors.
2. A cover up dress
I think bringing a cover up that can also be worn as a dress is a perfect item for vacation. Personally, I love it because I can throw it on over my bathing suit to wear out to lunch or dinner, or to simply wear to the beach or pool. A perfect cover up dress can be dressed up or down with accessories depending on where you want to go. Also, most cover ups do not look bad if they are wrinkled, which is always a plus while traveling. One reasonably priced dress that I love is the Jada dress from Brandy Melville. At only $30, the Jada dress doesn't have too thick of a material, so it won't keep you hot while wearing it at the beach.
3. A great beach/pool playlist or book
Some pools or beach clubs play music, which can be fun, but if you have a more particular music taste, downloading a playlist to your iPhone or iPod is necessary. Laying out all day can get boring, but with your playlist you won't run into this issue. Additionally, if you do have some insecurities about your body, I would suggest adding some pump up songs to help with your confidence (e.g. Beyoncé). If you are not a big fan of music, then I would suggest packing a good book for your trip. Sitting along the beach or poolside with a good book is one of the best things to do on vacation. You get to enjoy the great weather and sun, get a tan, and also pass the time by reading a nice piece of fiction or nonfiction. Personally, when I bring a book with me it feels like I have only been out tanning for an hour or two, when I have actually been out there all day. So be warned: if you bring a book that you get sucked into, make sure to watch the time so you don't end up with a bad sunburn. One of the hottest books at the moment is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. If you haven't read it yet, please do yourself a favor and go buy it ASAP.
4. Some stellar shades
Sunglasses are a must when lying outside all day. Not only will they protect your eyes (very important), but they are also an easy way to dress up your bikini. There are so many fun sunglasses on the market today. First, try to find a style that works well with your face shape. Once you discover the style you like, try to find a pair that can also dress up your outfit. A big trend at the moment is colorful mirrored lenses. Many companies are selling them in different shapes and sizes. My favorite are the Aviator sunglasses made by Ray-Ban, who offers great sizes and color patterns to choose from.
5. A camera
While I'm on vacation, taking pictures of my destination is a must. I love to come home and make travel books with all the pictures that I took and add descriptions to them. It's a fun and easy way to remember your vacation and share memories with friends and family. Additionally, having a camera that has video capabilities is even better for capturing those special moments. Today, most people have smart phones, which are perfect because they have a camera and video camera built-in with the option of different apps for editing. But if you are interested in purchasing a camera apart from your smart phone, then a great option is the GoPro, which is perfect given its waterproof construction. There are three cameras to choose from: The $199.99 HER03 White Edition, the $299.99 HER03+ Silver Edition, and the $399.99 HER03+ Black Edition.