Soakin’ up the Sun

Hello, Sunshine! Can you believe it’s August already?! If you’re an optimist, you may be celebrating the heat, by taking advantage of some additional time out in the sun, while you pessimists out there already have your minds set that it’s time to gear up and prep for that crisp air and those comfy sweaters. Either way, I look at this month as an excuse to buy any last minute essentials I know I may need when heading out to the beach or pool. August is always a great time to purchase some of summer’s must-have staples, because most stores are desperate to “86” this season’s wear, in order to start making room for those warmer knits, boots and outerwear…so this weekend, I decided to set a goal, and purchase all last-minute necessities for under $15 each…You’ll be surprised at some of the treasures I was able to get my hands on!

Additional detailed photos of items:

   

As much as I love to switch up my style, my favorite summer look is always inspired by that laid back, Californian bohemian look. Anything that feels gentle and light on the skin in order to keep me from sweating to death…but still has a chic, relaxed look, is a win for me!

I was able to eliminate the blinding rays from my face when I purchased this Woven Floppy Brim Sun Hat from Target for only $14.99.

The Split-Neck Top/Tunic was on clearance at Old Navy for $12.00-However, I spoke to an employee and she advised me that with an additional sale going on this weekend, the already marked-down price on this tunic may be even lower! She added that I could even bring my receipt back within 10 days to receive the extended lower price! **Two other designs were also for sale.

The Striped Rope-Handle Canvas Tote was also an Old Navy clearance steal, coming in one of two design options for just under $9.00 (the poms are removable, but I chose to leave them in the picture to show it’s authenticity)

The Turquoise-stoned, silver cuff was a $7.00 purchase from H&M a few months back.

For Nails...Sally Hansen’s Triple Shine in “Reef Raf” (sold from this link at Target for about $5.00)

These Sunnies…Juicy Couture-$13 on sale with a 20% coupon, after being marked down to $15.99 at Kohl’s

MY BASIC BEACH COMMODITIES…

Pineapple Beach Towel: Old Navy for $8.00…it just adds a little more appeal to your beach attire!

For $8.00, stay hydrated with this 21 oz. glass water bottle by “Hyper”. The best part for those that are as clumsy as I am, this amazing bottle, for one: comes enclosed in a neon green rubber casing, just in case it slips out of your grip, and two: there’s a lock on top of the mouth piece, to avoid any accidental spills/leaks. If you have concerns about how cold the bottle keeps your beverage, well…mine managed to keep my water as crisp and cold as it was when I filled it up at home, a few hours into my day at the beach!

I try to avoid any uncomfortable footwear while trudging through hot sand, so I always stick to flip-flops or these thin, leather, strappy sandals from Gap, which I again, found on clearance for about $10.00

and, last but certainly not least…a summer beach read! I am a book lover at heart, but it’s not a day out in the sun by any water, unless I have this lovely little compelling, page-turning compact tucked away in my beach bag.  What I’m reading now? To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, by Jenny Han. A YAL Contemporary Romance full of lightheartedness and fun, the way I believe summer should feel! If you’re looking to borrow this from your local library…take a number…the wait was crazy this summer! I’m actually one of those weirdos that has to purchase every book I read…yes, my library is insane (if you need a book, I’ve got you covered!), but what threw me over the edge with this novel was that I could not find a paperback copy in stores, so If you have time to spare, take a piece of advice and purchase this book from Amazon. It runs for at least $17.99 in most stores, but I was able to purchase this brand new, hard-covered beauty for a total of $5.00 with shipping from a seller off of Amazon’s website. It was totally worth the wait!

The Little Black Suit- Of course, I couldn’t go without at least sharing one of my favorite swimwear pieces this season…a retro black and white one piece with a white strap that can loop around the neck or be detached to wear as a halter. Of course, when you’re chasing around your two kids, or plan on spending a lot of time flipping around in the water-I recommend something that will not only have a comfortable fit, but one that’s not going to swim away on you! This Chaps Shirred Bandeau Swimdress  retails for about $88. However,I was able to purchase this with a 30% coupon from Kohl’s 4th of July Weekend.

White Woven Floppy Brim Sun Hat-See above Target Sun Hat info

I hope you all enjoy the end of your weekend! Don’t forget to make time for yourself to get out and savor this August sun! It’s been a scorcher so far, so be sure to spoil yourself with some of these must-have beach necessities! Remember to tag me on Facebook (daniellepiel) or Instagram (@daniellepiel), or leave a comment below sharing some of your beach favorites!

X, Danielle