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WHAT’S IN MY AFTER THE BEACH BAG
Freshening up after a long day at the beach before heading for a bite to eat with family or friends can be a breeze if you have the right stuff. I always keep a “after the beach bag” in the trunk of my car so that I’m prepared at all times. The contents of the bag are simple. Fresh towel, shampoo + conditoner, facial towelettes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, lotion, and a few simple cosmetics. Everything is inexpensive because it’s sitting in a trunk everyday and things get left behind or borrowed and not returned. When it’s time to switch out cosmetics, i opt for travel size products that I’ve received through gift with purchase or inexpensive purchases.
Here’s a list of the contents of my 2012 summer “after the beach bag”:
1. VO5 shampoo + conditioner (Not meant for a deep lather but a quick run through and rinse to refresh the scalp and hair)
2. Fresh towel (If you don’t have this, you will be toweling off with the towel that was laying on the ground)
3. Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Towelettes (I’ve used facial cleanser as well but this is easier and quicker)
4. Surfer’s Salve (This is an all purpose product. Love this stuff. I also carry this in my everyday bag. Good for lips, dry skin, cuticles and bug bites)
5. Travel toothbrush and toothpaste (I will use this if I can do so discretely)
6. Clinique moisture surge (This can be used everywhere including your face)
7. Cosmetic bag includes: (eyelash curler, Lancome Definicils mascara, Lancome Le Crayon Khol and Dream Bouncy Blush) The mascara gets changed after several months of use and the eyeliner gets sharpened frequently. Fingers are used for smudging the liner and applying blush. I do not share these things.
8. Hand sanitizer (Super important because beach bathrooms have so much germs and there’s no antibacterial soap readily available)
MARC BY MARC JACOBS BAG REVIEW
I have 2 bags from MARC BY MARC JACOBS. The first bag I got, I used for a year straight and the bag looks almost brand new. It’s made of nylon which makes it easy to clean by using a little soap and water on a cloth. The leather handles have remained strong with little to no sign of use. My second bag has been a bit of a disappointment. It’s made of genuine leather. I’ve been using it for 7 months straight since receiving it during the 2011 holiday season. The handles on the satchel started to show signs of wear in its 6 month of use. I’m almost afraid to use it anymore because the gold is wearing away so quickly. Maybe it’s the color I chose or the type of handle that is on this bag. All I know is I love it but I’m reconsidering my next bag purchase from this brand.
First Marc By Marc Jacobs bag purchase. Made of Nylon and leather. After 1 year of use, the bag almost looks brand new.
Marc by Marc Jacobs genuine gold leather satchel.
After 7 months of use, this handle as well as the other handle is losing its gold leather color.
SUMMER 2012 SUNSCREEN CHOICES
This summer season I’ve been using two sets of sunscreens. The first set is made by SUN BUM. I’ve been using this on days when I’m at the beach for 2-3 hours or less with little time spent in the water. The second set is made by COPPERTONE. I’ve been using this set on days when I’m at the beach all day with lots of time spent in and out of the water. I love both sets. Sun Bum smells great, works well and is paraben free, hypoallergenic, oil free/ PABA free, won’t clog pores and is anti aging. Sun Bum does require reapplication immediately after swimming to prevent sunburn. Coppertone is a brand I’ve been using for many years. The Coppertone Sport high performance ultra sweat proof spray is my favorite product. It’s waterproof, sprays at any angle, goes on clear with little rubbing required and works against sunburn with 2-3 reapplications in an all day sun exposed/prolonged swimming period. I’ve tested this product 5 times since summer started and it really works.
STORING BATTERIES
I’ve thrown away so many lanterns and flashlights due to damage caused by battery leakage. To solve the problem I take the batteries out once I’m done using it and store the batteries in separate zip lock bags based on size. Used batteries get labeled “used but good” and new batteries are label free. All bags get put in a recycled food container and stored in a cool area. Problem solved. If the lights go out, I light my candles first which are already out on display around my home and then get the flashlights and lanterns ready. This method has also made it easy to stay stocked up on batteries because it’s easy to see when I’m running low on a size. Currently I’m running low on AA and AAA.
STORING FAKE HAIR
My kids love fake colorful hair. We’ve thrown away many strands over the years after one or two uses because it gets tangled when stored improperly. I’ve finally found a cheap solution to the problem. I simply wrap one or two strands in Saran Wrap and store each wrapped stand in a Zip Lock bag. That’s it. It goes into a drawer with my kids other hair accessories and its ready and easy to unwrap each time my kids need it. These stands have been through 2 dance events and multiple uses and they are untangled and frizz free.
JEWELRY GIVEAWAY
UPDATE: This giveaway has expired.
Congratulations to the winner and thank you to those that subscribed and followed Island Style Weekly. There will be more giveaways in the future.
Enter for a chance to win a dark orange porcelain double wrap leather bracelet with a natural mussel shell button by KAUAI KASUAL. This giveaway is open to US residents. You must be 18 years or older. No purchase is necessary. All you have to do is #1 SUBSCRIBE to Island Style Weekly. #2 FOLLOW Island Style Weekly on Twitter. The giveaway will run from June 11 – June 18, 2012. The winner will receive a congratulations email from Island Style Weekly on June 18. A reply within 24 hours is required to claim your bracelet. If a reply is not received, another winner will be chosen.
THE SAK CASUAL CLASSIC
Just in time for summer, I found a great deal on THE SAK CLASSIC CROCHET MINI CROSS BODY BAG. It’s been a real long time since I spent so little on a bag. For me, this will not be an everyday bag but I have been enjoying it on trips to the mall as a pop of color against a neutral outfit.
DECORATIVE TILES
As visitors approach my home, I like them to feel immediately at home and welcome. To give my entry patio a little life, I add a decorative tile above my doorbell from ISLAND HERITAGE and from season to season, switch them out between the three that I currently have. When visiting any of the Hawaiian islands, these pieces can also be found at Walmart and Kmart.
PROM SHOES
All of the high schools on KAUAI have had their proms but there is one last private school that will be ending their school year with a bang by having their prom at THE GRAND HYATT BALLROOM. My teen daughter picked out the cutest shoes for her dress from PAYLESS SHOESOURCE. She’s been breaking them in by wearing them around the house everyday and also to get comfortable in such high heels. To make the insole a little more soft, I purchased a comfort pad that made it a lot easier to walk in.
THE ORIGINAL BEAUTY BLENDER
After years of using brushes, sponges and my fingers to apply my daily tinted moisturizer, I have finally found my secret blending weapon. Unlike brushes which leave streaks and triangular/flat square/flat circle foundation sponges that never seem to blend right and fingers that get the job done but always unevenly, the BEAUTY BLENDER works perfectly. I first tried using it damp but that seemed to mess with the consistency of my tinted moisturizer so I stopped using it that way. I also tried applying the tinted moisturizer to the Blender first and then applying it to my face but that didn’t work either, both dry and damp. I now use it dry by applying my tinted moisturizer with my fingers first and then blending it with the Blender in a circular motion around my face. The look I’m able to achieve is natural and flawless. Cleanup is easy and quick. After each use, I wash the Blender with antibacterial hand soap and water and wring out the excess water. I then put a towel in my palm with the Blender in the middle and make a fist around the Blender. This gets out a lot of the moisture left in the Blender. I then leave it out to dry on one of my bathroom vases. Depending on the day, the Blender is dry within a few hours and ready for it’s next use. Normally I would never spend $36 on two sponges but I had a gift card that allowed me to have a discount off my total order and after all the positive feedback, I figured I’d like it as much as everyone else. I’m super happy I decided to give it a try.
