Summer MUST HAVES from a California girl

Being from San Diego, the beach has been and always will be a HUGE part of my life. I am not only a total sun worshiper, but I would 100% be a mermaid if I could breathe under water. With that being said, I am a total sucker for summertime essentials. Without further ado, here is my list of SUMMER MUST HAVES!No beach day would be an actuuaaallll beach day without a swimsuit. DUHH. Now, this used to be the one thing I would dread the most during summer seasons, but once I realized it was the negative self talk and lack of confidence that was holding me back; shopping for swimsuits wasn't so terrifying. I have found a few favorites over time, but one company has become my new go-to... Indigo Swimwear. Created in Encinitas and manufactured in Bali, all of the fabrics used are made with 100% regenerated nylon and yarn that comes from old fishing nets and ocean waste! A percent of each piece manufactured goes to beach clean ups in Bali through the R.O.L.E Foundation's 'Zero Waste to Oceans' initiative, and a percent of each piece sold goes to local beach clean ups in California through the Surfrider Foundation! Indigo are 100% committed to keeping our oceans waste free both at home and overseas && that is the kind of mission I respect and fully support! Not only is their mission amazing but Indigo swimsuits are made for everyone and they are CUTE AF. I mean COME ONNNN. Check out their site and make sure to make some waves this summer in your eco friendly and sustainable swimsuit!!It wasn’t until I got to be a young adult that I really started wearing hats to the beach. It was probably because I was laying out more than I was swimming around the in ocean. Anyways, finding the right beach hat isn’t as easy as it sounds. You want it to be “breathable”, wide enough to give you the right amount of sun protection, and of course, you'll want to be prepared for salt water and sand to get all over it. This summer, I can not wait to wear my Hemlock hats !!! I’m rocking the Gibson (which is UPF 50!!!) and the Ace visor in marigold!! These hats are truly one of a kind, and allow me to endlessly express my one of a kind individuality. I love how they share their love of the San Diego culture + lifestyle through their products! They literally have a print for every person and every activity… Check out their collection of hats and visors and tell me what one you would rock this summer!Now towels have been something that I have weirdly cared about my entire life. They are like coffee cups to me. I have my special ones, that I have some bizarre attachment to haha. Maybe because they determine my comfort at the beach, I mean, thats literally what I am creating my space on while I’m there, so I want it to be good, soft and comfy. Thankfully, I have finally found the best oversized travel towels!! Skova towels are my jammmm. They are 5ft by 5ft (aka huge af) and and made out of microfiber.. making them sand resistant and quick dry. They hold in heat, so transitioning into a blanket for those sunsets and bonfires, consider yourself covered with your Skova oversized travel towel or beach blanket. Not only are the towels gorgeous and hand drawn designs, but Skova sells picnic rugs as well! It has become an essential beach accessory for myself. No matter if there are rocks or hot sand, this water resistant travel rug, is PRIME for beach days and outdoor adventures! I take mine everywhere with me! Check out the variety of sizes and designs Skova has to offer with their oversized travel towels and picnic rugs!Although I am a certified sun worshiper, I LOVE a good sunshade!! The perfect sunshade has to meet a few NECESSARY requirements to be titled "a SUMMER ESSENTIAL".  it needs to be one that doesn't blow away. One that works no matter where the sun is in the sky. One that fits my vibe and style. and of course, one that can bring shade nd comfort to me AND my whole beach squad! That is why I only use my Suniela Sunshade ! I take this little dude everywhere I go! It especially came in handy at my beach day birthday party, where over 20 people came to celebrate, and most were able to fit comfortably under the shade!! They have great designs and colors to choose from! And to make things event better, it comes with a carrying case!! I literally can set this up in a matter of seconds and have created an ultimate bohemian cabana wherever I am !!! Check out their shades and what this revolutionary brand is all about! PS. Want 20$ off your Suniela Order?! Use the code: Sunshine20 at checkout!!  Sooo I don't know about you, but I am pretty particular about what bags I will and will not bring to the beach/pool. There are certain things I know will get ruined, and there is always so much to carry, it has to be a bag that can hold, all the things. Thankfully, I have two go to’s this summer season and both are INCREDIBLE!First off. my Plum and Sparrow baskets. LOVE. They are not only cute and unique but they hold everything and are very easy to shake sand out of. I never have to worry about them getting too hot in the sun or buried in the sand. I have the Market Basket and the Palm Leaf Shopper, both hand woven from palm leaves and made by Bolga basket weavers. They include genuine leather handles and are sturdy as can be.Plum and Sparrow's products are sustainably made and support the Fair Trade Federation. 10% of each purchase goes back to the African weavers and their families - providing them with school supplies, healthcare and the funding and building of the community weaving centers.The other bags I love love love for summer are Aloha Collection. These splash-proof travel bags were created by a Kauai native, traveler and surfer. ALOHA Collection donates 5% of profits annually to a Hawaii conservation organization to help protect the natural beauty of Hawaii. Founded in Cardiff-by-the-Sea California, ALOHA Collection was born out of a love of adventure, travel, and the ocean. I have the Hang loose Mini Hip Pack in Mustard and a small tote bag, both perfect for when I am kayaking, snorkeling, diving and have a full day at the beach!Last but certainly not least… living in Southern California, sunscreen has always been important to wear. I haven’t always been a fan of sunscreen, but with my mom and grandpa treated for skin cancer, I have learned the importance of wearing it. Although, it wasn’t until I found Coola that I wore face sunscreen everyday. They are 70+% certified organic, vegan and reef friendly! Based out of Carlsbad (the city I grew up in) Coola has redefined suncare and has made the world safer and healthier!!This is what you’ll find me using : -Full Spectrum 360 Sun Silk Drops - YASSS. I wear this everyday. It is lightweight and not only am I protected from the sun but from my technology too!!• Helps fight the effects of HEV blue light, IR, and pollution• Broad spectrum SPF 30 protection-Ocean Salted Sage Scalp and Hair Mist - I literally wish I had this growing up. My scalp was soooooo burnt as a kid, staying late at the pool forgetting to apply my on my head! This stuff smells amazing and is super lightweight! SPF 30.• Water resistant up to 80 minutes and• Helps prevent UV-related hair color fading-Classical Body Sunscreen / Sunscreen Spray - I bring this with me everywhere I go. I have tons of travel size for all of my adventures and I am always the one my friends go to when we are at the beach or on a hike. It is ALWAYS on me. I have the tropical coconut sunscreen and it smells like paradise. SPF 30• sheer, water- and sweat-resistant organic formula•  packed with antioxidants and skin-nourishing ingredients-Mineral Face Sunscreen- Cucumber with Matte Finish - Another daily product!! SO good. It smells amazing and I love the true matte finish of this moisturizer with a soft a smooth finish. It has quickly become an essential for daytime lotion, antioxidant infused bb cream, and SPF 30  all in one.• Antioxidant Rose Hip Oil protects from environmental aggressors• Mineral Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide ingredients-Liplux Lip Balm - so soft and stays on, I absolutely love it. I try to save it for when I go to the beach and the pool, but find myself wanting to sue it everyday for just a natural look and wear as well. SPF 30• Raspberry Butter and Avocado Butter• No nano-sized particlesSooo basically I am very much ready for summer  and can not wait to spend endless days soaking up the sunshine and listening to the waves. Summer is my favorite season, and these are my favorite beach time essentials for this upcoming sunshine season!Hope it helps with all this summer fun!xoxoxChris