Summer is in full swing and my kids and I are having so much fun enjoying the pool, beach, camping and spending some good quality family time. Through some trial and error, I have been able to narrow down my summer essential list that proves to be my tried and true favorites that never let me down and I thought I would share!

Sunscreen

First and arguably most important, is SPF! Wearing sunscreen reduces the risk of skin cancer, but you have to be careful to get at least SPF 30 to screen out the most harmful UV rays. It also prevents early wrinkles and early aging of skin! BB Lifestyle has a great sunscreen my husband and I use. For my kids I use Think Sun Care & Baby Care.

Lip Balm

Dry lips are never fun, but during the summer that is one of my biggest battles. Wearing a lip balm that has SPF is ideal because the skin on your lips is thinner than the skin on your face so it is more susceptible to dryness and sunburns. The two lip balms I have found most successful in is Botanica Wellness Products and Sun Bum.

Essential Oils

Getting sunburnt is never fun, but sometimes it is a part of summer. Aloe is always soothing, but I have found that using essential oils on sunburns has been way more helpful. Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Peppermint, Lavender, Tea Tree, Geranium, Chamomile, and Eucalyptus are all oils that I have found to be really soothing and helpful for after a sunburn. I get all my oils from Vibrant Blue Oils. There is also a really great recovery gel for sunburns from BB Lifestyle.

Summer Snacks

Snacks are essential for every occasion, but for summertime snacking there are a few go-to’s that I have! Safe + Fair is a company I have used for a while now and that has everything that I crave for summer! Chips, popcorn, and even baking mixes that have clean ingredients and are plant-based! Another company I get my snacks and sweet treats from is BHU Foods. They have endless options of snacks and food that are friendly to the Keto Diet. Both Safe + Fair and BHU Foods make eating treats guilt-free because I know that they are good for me!

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Beach Towels

Going to the beach or the take usually calls for a good amount of towels. With a towel, it is hard to go wrong. However, I try to buy from companies that benefit others when I purchase something. Sand Cloud is where I purchase my towels for my family’s summer adventures. They come in so many different designs and sizes and with each purchase, 10% of it goes to marine conservation.

Swimsuits

It has been so hot this summer so any chance we get we head to the pool, beach or lake! Finding swimsuits that work for my kids, husband and myself has been a challenge, but through mix and match brands I have been able to find ones that fit everyone’s needs. Body Glove is a one-stop shop because they have swimwear for everyone! They also have life vests for the kids that give me peace of mind for when they play in the ocean or lake. Personally, I love Robin Piccone for my swimwear, they are so cute and comfy! I also order from Mott50 because they have super cute matching sets for the whole family plus they actually put SPF in their suits for extra protection!

Hats

Being out in the sun with my family is wonderful, but in addition to sunscreen I also always keep a hat with me to protect my face. I find most of my hats at LOVESTITCH! They also have really great big bags that help me fit everything I need to go out and have a great time with my kids.

Pop-Up Tents

In the theme of keeping out of the sun, I found this great company called Pacific Play Tents that creates pop-up tents for kids when playing outside. They are super easy to put up and provide great shade. They also have perfect chairs for my kids that we take everywhere!

Screenshot 2021 08 05 at 8.37.55 AMPersonalized Labels

With all the fun outings comes a lot of personal belongings. In order to keep track of everything, I use this company called InchBug that creates personalized labels for everything. From water bottles to backpacks they have a label that will help you keep track of everyone’s belongings.

Water Bottles 

Summertime is always such a special time for my family and going out and making memories is so much fun. These are my tools to ensure that my family is safe, protected, and well-fed for each adventure! I hope you find them as helpful as I do!

Find Jessica Hall on IG@jessicahall

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