Finally. You have the day off, the weather is beautiful and the E. coli levels in the lake are down. Time to hit the beach! Packing for a day at the beach means toting sunglasses and a terrific trashy novel. And there are plenty of other products that will also enhance your fun in the sun.
Sand in your shoes is almost as miserable as sand in your swimsuit. Keep your feet happy with inexpensive, colorful flip-flops. The Classic Flip-Flops from Old Navy are unisex and come in dozens of colors. $3.50 at Old Navy stores or oldnavy.com.
Checking the time means digging through your bag to find your cell phone, turning it on and waiting for a signal. Save time by strapping the Hang Time Watch on your beach bag. Less than an inch wide, available in a three colors in a flip-flop shape. Also available as a golf ball shape or a pink breast-cancer ribbon. $25 at spoonsisters.com or call 800-716-4199.
You did it. You took a risk, used a low SPF and got a tan. Help your tan last all summer with Hold It Right There, a tan extender from True Blue Spa. It has aloe vera and tea tree oil to help moisturize skin and lengthen the life of your tan. $15 for a 12-ounce bottle at Bath & Body Works stores.
Riding the school bus as a kid wasn’t exactly a day at the beach. Where should you sit? Should you eat your lunch now even though it’s 8 a.m.? Honor your days in the yellow limo with the Yellow School Bus Tote. This big canvas tote is about 14-by-12 inches. It has 20-inch handles, zip closures and interior pockets. $32 at fredflare.com.
Guys, lip balm is not lipstick. And Superbalm SPF 15 by Bliss is OK for guys to use. It’s a clear lip conditioner with sunscreen. It uses mango, cocoa butter and vitamin E to moisturize and protect lips. It’s colorless and has a light vanilla flavor. $10 for a 0.15-ounce stick at blissworld.com or Bliss Chicago, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive.
