Isak Dinesan says “The cure for everything is salt water.  Sweat, tears or the sea”. I happen to agree and suggest we all book a lovely getaway as soon as humanly possible.  After all, when is the last time you were sitting, sweating in the sun with your feet in the sand, ocean waves lapping up alongside you, tears of laughter streaming down your face that you didn’t feel pretty amazing?  Like everything in the world somehow made sense all over again.  In addition to the much-needed break from reality, another major bonus of the warm weather vacation is how incredibly easy it is to pack! Growing up my mother always insisted that my sister and I pack an extra bathing suit and pair of underwear in our carry-on.  It’s a rule that has served me well, though now admittedly, I am always disappointed in myself if I can’t manage to fit everything I’m taking into my carry-on.  As I’ve added a few more stamps to my passport, I’ve gotten my warm weather packing list down to a science.  Below I’m sharing my beach packing checklist that served me well:

• Travel in the clothes that will take up the most space in your bag and layer them. This way you are warm on the plane and can be cool when you get to your destination.
• Bring a dark pair of Sunglasses. 99% of the time I wear my rose-gold Ray-Ban aviators, but for reading on the beach these aren’t going to cut it.  I need to bring out the big guns.  Tom Ford makes great glasses.
• Always a sun hat. Key for beach-reading and cutting down on sun damage – sort of a pain to pack so I just wear my favorite little Panama hat.
• I adore Arbonne sunblock. It’s a vegan line that is super gentle. Take plenty, as the constant application of sunblock has helped me develop some of my most golden, glowing tans (I know I know, but I still love a little tan every now and then).
• Bikinis – at the very least I always take a black one and a printed one. I always start wearing the one with least coverage to avoid crazy tan lines.  But still, sunblock always.  I love Eberjey for bikinis.
• Sarongs are fabulous as they work triple duty as beach cover-ups, beach towels and even a wrap for a chilly evening. You can almost always buy a lovely one at your destination.
• Sundresses are just so perfect. LemLem (Banu striped cotton gauze dress) and LoveShackFancy have super fun, light and feminine options that are grat for day and night. I also love to throw in a little pair of cute printed shorts (Paloma Blue makes beautiful shorts) and one pair of denim cut-offs (J Brand or Rag & Bone never fail).
• K Jacques Sycomore sandals will be all you need. I find I am most often barefoot anyway, but this is a beautiful slide that you can toss on and go.
• I know it makes so much more sense to use an iPad or a Kindle, but there is something I love about lounging around with an actual book. And then of course, you can leave it for someone else once you are through with it.
• This last one is key: I never leave without a cashmere sweater. Cozy for chilly mornings or water-logged, wind-blown evenings. I always take a dove gray, navy or cream crew-neck.  JCrew and Theory have great lightweight basics.

Bon voyage!

Photo Credit {http://thestocks.im/}