As you can probably tell if you’ve been following Live, Run, Grow (or any of my social media really!), I LOVE going to the beach!
Plus, Jason and I are fortunate enough that since we moved to Cape Cod, we live about a 2 minute walk from the beach, which makes even going down for an hour or so totally do-able!
A few days ago I re-shared one of my favorite posts from last summer, Danielle & Jason’s Guide to Beach Etiquette, and today I’m sharing with you some of my favorite beach things – enjoy!
1. Beach Chair
So if you’re going to be spending a significant amount of time on the beach, you may want to consider investing in a decent beach chair.
Sure you can get the $9.99 Christmas Tree Shop chair (do you people even have Christmas Tree Shops?!?) that you basically consider disposable, or you can invest in this guy from Tommy Bahama:
Let me share with you the many features of my beach chair:
A) the handle for carrying ease
B) the towel bar for hanging wet towels, clothes, etc.
C) the storage – great for books, sunblock, etc.
D) the cooler pocket. Yes, A COOLER! Drinks, snacks, etc.
E) BACKPACK STRAPS! I hate carrying beach chairs, but with this one I just load it up and throw it on my back – obsessed with this!
F) the cup holder & phone pocket – keeps your water readily accessible to remember to hydrate!
2. Water Bottle
I’m partial to Tervis Tumblers, because I love all the different styles available, but just make sure you bring something with you to stay hydrated!
3. Beach Bag
I definitely have WAY too many beach bags, but recently I’ve been loving this simple tote from local Cape Cod company Cabo Cado!
photo from CaboCado.com
They have all sorts of great Cape & Islands original artwork on bags and t-shirts that make really great souvenirs!
4. Sunblock
I have to admit I hate putting on sunblock. I know how important it is, so I always do, but I just feel so greasy and gross with sunblock on and I always can’t wait to jump in the shower!
Recently I had the opportunity to try out Block Island Organics new Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 and I loved how light and non-greasy it was, especially on my face, which I’m always hesitant to slather new products on to! (My skin is super sensitive and totally prone to breaking out with anything too heavy!)
A little goes a long way with this zinc oxide based product and it blended in smoothly, plus I really liked that it didn’t have an overwhelming “I’m wearing sunblock!” smell to it.
(**UPDATE: someone on Twitter asked if this sunblock ran and the answer is NO! I ran & did yoga with it on and didn’t end up with the dreaded eye stinging!)
And I love Block Island Organics mission – to give everyone access to safe, effective, and lovable non-toxic suncare and skin care products. We believe in living outside and enjoying the sun and not hiding from it. With a little sun knowledge, the right sunscreen, and healthy skin care from day to night everyone can live our mantra: “Play Smart, Play Safe.”
**The awesome people at Block Island Organics have offered all Live, Run, Grow readers 15% off their order through Monday, July 13th, just enter discount code “danielle” with your order!**
5. A good book!
What’s a beach day without a good book! In the picture above is my all time favorite running book, The Long Run by Matt Long (which if you haven’t read it, you must!) and the book I am reading now, Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham.
You can read a my review of The Long Run HERE and I plan on sharing a review of Running with the Mind of Meditation when I’m done with it!
What are YOUR beach day essentials?
**Disclaimer: The only product mentioned in this post that I received a complimentary sample of for review purposes was the Block Island Organics SPF 30, all other products are just things I use personally and wanted to share. Either way, as always all opinions and thoughts are my own!**
Live, Run, Grow 
Wow your chair is fab-u-lous!! They thought of everything!
I know, seriously, it’s great!
That chair is great! And I *love* the Christmas Tree Shop… best store ever! I’ve been hearing about Block Island sunblock a lot lately, and only good things. Thanks for the discount, I’m excited to try it for myself!
Oh good, I hope you like it!
That chair is amazing. Though I do love The Christmas Tree Shop, I’ve gotten too many bruises from awkwardly shaped beach chairs banging against my leg on the walk to the beach — backpack straps FTW!! And that bag is super cute!
A little tip here….those Tommy Bahama chairs are sold at Costco for about $29. We bought ours 5 years ago and they are still doing fine. I also bring the beach chair clips so my towel stays put. It is windy at the beach here in Wilmington, NC!
The Tommy Bahama beach chair IS. A. MUST!!! Best beach chair ever thanks to the backpack straps — absolutely genius. I found mine at Costco and they’re really not all that much more expensive than the Christmas Tree Shop variety…so worth the additional $15-20 investment.
All of my beach essentials are covered here, plus I’m always the dork rolling a cooler around with a sandwich and a crapload of fruit for snacking, from pineapple to watermelon to cherries. No way I’m paying 10 bucks for a slice of nasty greasy pizza and a drink at the Jersey shore, lol.
Okay, that chair looks awesome!! A bar to hang towels and a cooler?? Sunscreen is such a huge essential for me – I’m really intrigued by block sunscreen! It doesn’t run and doesn’t smell like sunscreen? I need to find some!