How to Pack for a Summer Beach Trip | Beach Essentials ♡

beach
Hey friends! I'm going to the beach tomorrow for a week, so I thought it would be appropriate to share my beach essentials. I'm also going to share the things that I think you should  to pack in your suitcase for a summer beach trip. I hope you guys find this post useful :) Also click here to check out a similar post I wrote about spring break essentials for the beach.

summer beach essentials
Detangling hair brush | sunscreen | dry shampoo | suitcase | maxi dress | playing cards | sunglass strap (different color) | bikini | hat | striped dress | sandals | camera | earbuds | tote bag | water bottle | towel | sunglasses (different color) | makeup bag | book | mascara | phone case | hair ties | sports bra | shirt | shorts | sneakers | flip flops

Hairbrush/ Hair ties
Both are definitely essentials! You should definitely have a hairbrush in your beach tote bag, in case your hair gets tangled while swimming in the ocean. You should also always carry around hair ties with you, because if you're like me they will just disappear.
Here are some of my favorite hairbrushes for detangling and smoothing my hair:
-Tangle Teezer // http://bit.ly/2alznyT
-Wet Brush // http://bit.ly/2al3EDP
-Conair // http://bit.ly/2aoVyVP
Here are hair ties that I really like:
-Ribband // http://bit.ly/2al68SJ

Sunscreen
This is pretty obvious. Sunscreen is very important if you want to keep your skin protected, which I'm pretty sure everyone wants to do.
-Sun Bum // http://bit.ly/2aADSdk
-Banana Boat // http://bit.ly/2aFl9yG

Dry Shampoo
Your hair can get pretty hot, smelly and gross in the beach humidity. You should bring a bottle of dry shampoo to spritz in your hair when it gets greasy.
-Drybar // http://bit.ly/2aHjV2u

Suitcase
Well duh... if you're packing your suitcase you need to have a suitcase. I like these ones listed down below because they are super cute and roomy!
-River Island // http://bit.ly/2aoZSqO
-Tommy Hilfiger // http://bit.ly/2aztPUk
-Northfield // http://bit.ly/2aFm02b

Dressses
I love wearing dresses around when I'm on vacation. The dress serves as your whole outfit, which saves room in your suitcase. They are also a lot cooler than wearing pants and a shirt.
-C&A Yessica // http://bit.ly/2aFlqS0
-John Lewis // http://bit.ly/2aDz9XV
-Urban Outfitters // http://bit.ly/2aFzN8B

Cards
Every time I go on vacation I always end up wanting to play cards. I always end up having to buy new cards, so now I've probably got 10 packs sitting in a shelf in my room. I think cards are great things to pack when going on vacation, because you can play fun games with them when you're bored.
-Bicycle // http://amzn.to/2alD7Af

 Sunglasses/ Sunglass strap
I love wearing sunglasses, not just at the beach but whenever it's sunny outside. Click here to check out my post on inexpensive vs. exensive sunglass dupes. Sunglass straps or croakies are also nice to have so you don't lose your sunglasses. They very conveniently hang around your neck.
Here are some cute sunglasses:
-Betsey Johnson // http://bit.ly/2aqmVP8
-Quay // http://bit.ly/2acHwpE
Here are some cute sunglass straps:
-Kate Spade // http://bit.ly/2aoYF0g
-Lilly Pulitzer // http://bit.ly/2aik2AR

Bikinis
I absolutely love shopping for and wearing bikinis at the beach. You can find really cool and unique ones out there. There are a bunch of different styles that work great for different body shapes. Click here to read my post on bikini and swimwear trends. Here are some of my favorites:
-VipMe // http://bit.ly/2ap3lW5
-Frankies // http://bit.ly/2aSVUVp
-Bikini Lab // http://bit.ly/2aqnMPz

Hats
Hats will protect your face from the sun. They are also something cute to add when you hair is a mess- shhh... no one will know.
-Chic Nova // http://bit.ly/2azx2Da
-Robert Graham // http://bit.ly/2aikxei

Shoes
I think that shoes can totally change an outfit and add a bit of fun to it. I think flip flops, sneakers and wedges are must haves when going to the beach.
Flip flops:
-Havaianas // http://bit.ly/2a8nsJc
-BP // http://bit.ly/2aDDDhe
Sneakers:
-New Balance // http://bit.ly/2aqpwIT
Wedges:
-Dorothy Perkins // http://bit.ly/2aAKNmY

Camera/ Case
Did you really go to the beach if you didn't post a picture on Instagram or at least take some pics?? You can bring a regular camera to the beach or a cute polaroid to take those beachy pics. You can also just use your phone- iPhones actually take amazing pictures. If you do bring your phone with you while your at the beach, you should have a waterproof case on it so it won't get wet from your fingers or the ocean.
-Fujifilm // http://bit.ly/2ap2Zwz
-Apple // http://apple.co/2alHwU1
-LifeProof // http://bit.ly/2ap3FBP

Earbuds
Jam out to your fave Spotify playlist with some earbuds!
-Happy Plugs // http://bit.ly/2a8oMMc

 Tote Bag
You definitely need a tote bag or some sort of bag for the beach to carry your towel, sunscreen and other essentials. I really like this one:
-Very Straw // http://bit.ly/2a9gq73

Water Bottle
Stay hydrated with a cute water bottle! I tend to drink more water when I have a cute and fun water bottle.
-S'well // http://bit.ly/2aIrXZ5

Towel
Lay out in the sun and catch up on a good book with these towels:
-Hunkemoller // http://bit.ly/2aGxxOa
-Gilt // http://bit.ly/2aEum8A
-Gilt // http://bit.ly/2aGrw4G

Makeup Bag/ Makeup
I think having a waterproof bag that you can put your makeup, cash and phone in is a great idea. That way, you can keep your stuff safe from pool or ocean water. I also think waterproof mascara is essential!
-New Chic // http://bit.ly/2a9h6t3
-Maybelline // http://bit.ly/2aqznPi (my all time fave waterproof mascara!!!)

Books
Catch up on your reading for school or for fun! Here are some of my fave books:
-B&N // http://bit.ly/2aEvJEe
-B&N // http://bit.ly/2aIuKBe
-B&N // http://bit.ly/2anvHQt

Athletic Clothes
I really like wearing athletic clothes (like t-shirt and shorts) around the beach. You can throw them over your bathing suit when riding bikes or going into shops which is nice.
-Calvin Klein // http://bit.ly/2anvn3W
-Etsy // http://etsy.me/2aCnZDc
-H&M // http://bit.ly/2aGydn2

I hope you enjoyed this post! What are your beach essentials?

Thea ♡







Happy Valentine's Day! ♡

animal cruelty free

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and got to spend time with their friends, families and loved ones! ♡


I'm really excited to read Pride and Prejudice! I am reading Sense and Sensibility right now, and I'm really enjoying it! I am also looking forward to to trying out this Andalou Naturals facial moisturizer. I've been needing a new moisturizer, and this one is animal cruelty free and vegan! I think I am going to start only wearing and using beauty and makeup products that are animal cruelty free. I looked up a list of what makeup brands still test on animals, and it was surprising to see how many big makeup companies still do.
  

Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: All thoughts, opinions and photos are mine.

5 Outfit, Hair and Makeup Looks & Essentials for a Valentine's Day Date

accessories

A bunch of people really liked my Valentine's Day series, so I decided to continue it! Here are 5 different looks that are perfect for date nights, but you can always just wear these looks out with your friends! I hope you enjoy :)


Look 1: Casual Movie Night


This is a nice, comfy and casual outfit to wear if you're going to have a move/pizza night at someones house. This look is super easy and makes you look a little more put together than just leggings and a t-shirt. You can keep your hair simple with a messy bun or a messy side braid. You can also keep your makeup look simple by using neutral colors, like these ones from the Urban Decay Naked basics palette and a BB cream, which won't make you feel like you have a bunch of face makeup weighing you down. You can put on a swipe of pink lip gloss and a spritz of this clean smelling perfume, and you're all set!

Look 2: Fancy Dinner

This is definitely my favorite outfit, because the dress is super pretty and flowy. You can add a white cardigan over the dress if it's colder where you live. It's pretty warm where I live right now- it got to 70 degrees today! For your hair, you should curl it in loose, bouncy waves, and then spray in some texturizing spray. (click on tutorial). You can make your makeup look a little bolder since the outfit is simple, by adding a gel liner, a volumizing mascara and a darker eyeshadow to define your eyes. Keep the lips simple by adding a nude pink color to them, and then apply a heavier foundation to your face, since this is a fancier outfit, and you might want a little more coverage.

Look 3: Picnic and Stroll


This is a perfect outfit for a picnic and a nice stroll in the park. This look is very girl and incorporates a lot of baby pinks and golds. I would wear your hair in a half-up, half-down, and then curl the pieces that are down. You can make your eyes stand out more by adding on gold eyeshadows and adding a wing to your eyeliner. 

Look 4: Formal Dance


This look is for a formal dance, and is very glamorous. You can straighten your hair or really do any hairstyle you want with this dress. Instead of putting on false lashes, you can try the Too Faced mascara kit that claims to make your mascara look like you have fake eyelashes on. This is good if you are dancing a lot, because you don't want to worry about your false lashes sliding off or getting messed up. You can also bring some powder and bobby pins in your clutch to the dance. I think a smokey eye would look good with this outfit and would glam up the look. You should also apply a long-wearing foundation, because you will be out for a long time, and you don't want your foundation to move around or your face to look oily. 

Look 5: Movie Date/ Night Out on the Town


This is a good outfit is you are going out to the theater or if you are having a night out on the town. It's casual, but you can also dress it up with your makeup. Any hairstyle would look good with this outfit. You can add a dark lipstick and some darker eyeshadows to make your makeup stand out. Also, adding a contouring bronzer to your face can add shape to your face. 

Thanks for reading! I hope you make some great Valentine's Day plans with either your friends or a special date!

Disclaimer: All thoughts, ideas and opinions are mine.

2015 Beauty, Fashion & More Favorites: Books, TV Shows, Music, Places and Random

2015

Here are my favorite books, TV shows, music, places and random items from 2015. This will be my last 2015 favorites post. Enjoy :)


Books
The Matched trilogy is about a dystopian society where people have no choices or a say in their lives. It's a lot like the Hunger Games and the Divergent Series.


The His Fair Assassin Trilogy was another series that I really enjoyed reading this year! It's about girls who are assassin nuns, and it takes place in medieval France from the perspective of Brittany. All the girls have a unique backstory that shapes who they are as a person. I would definitely recommend this series if you like historical fiction.

TV Shows
Some of the TV shows I have enjoyed watching this year are Friends, The Vampire Diaries, Gilmore Girls, Charmed, and Once Upon a Time. Friends and Gilmore Girls are both older TV shows. Friends is similar to How I Met Your Mother, because they are both funny and about a group of friends living in New York. Charmed is a similar show to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and is all about women who have powers and save the day on a regular basis. Gilmore Girls is a nice heart warming show that's centered around family. Once Upon a Time is show about Disney storybook characters in real life.

Music
My favorite artists of this year have been Lana Del Rey, Florence & the Machine, Taylor Swift, Adele, Ellie Goulding, 21 Pilots, Melanie Martinez, Maroon 5 and Fall Out Boys. 

Places
My favorite places that I have gone this year include London, Mackinac Island, Disney World, Seattle and Portland. 

Random
-Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream

Thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are mine. This blog doesn't take credit for any pictures on this post.


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