Tuesday, May 28, 2024
As you are reading this I am making an egg casserole for my department for our last teacher work day. We are having a catered Mexican lunch with the whole school, but we decided to do a potluck breakfast, too, just for our department. There are eight people in my department – six Spanish teachers, one French teacher, and one Japanese teacher. We have 3 men and 5 women. Why am I giving you all these details? I really don’t know! Maybe because I like details!
Let’s talk about my boat bag, specifically today. I will also tell you how I adjust when I go to the pool.
I have had my Bogg bag for many years and I got it when they were so popular and I couldn’t really choose my color. I ended up with orange which was fine. It is quite heavy. I like it for the boat because it remains upright and it’s really sturdy. We can wedge it next to the cooler and it stays put.
I usually don’t need to bring towels on the boat because we keep a Rubbermaid container of towels under a seat, but of course I have to take them home and wash them and bring them back.
The Bogg back in the back of my car:
I love this Igloo bag I found at Target last year. It holds several seltzers and then I put it down into the Bogg bag. Also, you can see the two boxes of seltzers. I like to buy it room temperature and then put in the cooler or the fridge as needed.
Pro Tip:
Keep your phone in the pocket so it doesn’t get overheated.
I keep my sunscreens in this cute palm leaf bag. But, I always apply my first coat of sunscreen at home while looking in the mirror. And, I always use lotion and not spray for this application. I save the spray type for re-application once I’m out. I hate getting burned with a passion so I am very serious about this. I don’t want to spray in the house and I also don’t think you get as good of coverage.
You know what I also really hate – burned lips. I don’t want lip injections that badly! I need to buy a new one, but I really love the tinted balms with sunscreen, like this on one the right.
Did you know that Trader Joe’s has a dupe for the Super Goop product? It goes on so smoothly. But, I also got this e.l.f. product in my Ipsy bag (I no longer have a subscription) and it gives you a really nice glow! Sometimes I put minimal makeup over the face sunscreen and sometimes I don’t.
My sister in law taught me this trick. Never leave home without a spray bottle for when you get hot and don’t want to/can’t get in. It’s very effective.
Other things that are always in my boat bag:
paper plates, napkins, and plastic utensils that I save from take out
a book
baby wipes (they come in really handy)
my purse pouches (one contains bandaids (we also keep a first aid kit on the boat), ibuprofen, hand sanitizer, eye drops, anything I carry in my purse usually – I throw in my little pouches)
my keys and wallet
extra sunglasses – I can’t read with my prescription sunglasses on because I am near sighted
extra cover up – this has come in handy when my first cover up has gotten too wet
snacks
phone chargers stay on the boat so we always have them
If I am going to the pool, I choose my L.L. Bean bag or another lighter weight bag. I like to bring two towels for the lounge chair. Both of the pools I go to let you use a float and I am in the market for a new one. Let me know if you have a good suggestion! But, other than that, I keep most of the other items just in case. I am very much a “girl scout” or a worst case scenario person and I like to be prepared.
I always start off a little rusty – forgetting what I need to include!
What did I forget? What do you always have in your boat/pool bag? Any bag recommendations for my readers?
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
That is such a large foreign language department– my school growing up had 2 (one French and one Spanish shared by the middle and high schools) and Alec’s has 1! I can’t remember the last time I had to pack a beach/pool bag.. but I am definitely a light packer– a towel, my sunglasses/hat, sunscreen, a book, my wallet, phone, and keys, and some food/drink is just about everything I bring with me. I do usually have a change of clothes I leave in the car so I don’t have to drive home wet/sandy since we don’t have any beaches (or pools!) near us. But mostly I just hang out at home and only bring my towel, book, sunglasses and phone down back with me (where I keep a bin of sunscreen).
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It really is! Sometimes packing a bag gets old so it’s nice that you have all that you need at your fingertips and you kind of live in a resort!
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I am a sucker for Sea Bags. Are you familiar with them? They are made from recycled sails. Sooo coolll…..so durable and stylish and they clean so easily. They have a website and then shops across the country too- check them out!
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I have seen them and wanted one! Maybe I will look at them again! Love the concept!
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Enjoy your fun breakfast! I didn’t realize Trader Joe’s had a dupe sunscreen as well for the face. I use the e.l.f. brand daily and like it. That was fun to read about your boat/beach bag. Sounds like you are prepared and have learned things along the way!
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Thank you! It goes on so smoothly! It’s like it changes consistency as you put it on. Thank you!
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I have a post planned for next week about my pool bag and tips and tricks I’ve learned to get a nice even tan without getting even one sunburn. Great minds think alike, right?! 🤣 I love the idea of putting your phone into a cooler bag! I usually put mine at the bottom of my pool bag with my cover-up and other things on top of it, and I keep it face down so that if it gets warm, the cover acts as a barrier. I also use pouches for my things- I have one for my lipstick that I always wear to the pool or beach (it acts as a shield from the sun, even it has no SPF in it), my wallet and keys, and I keep another one for snacks that don’t need required cooling. And I always take my biggest water cup full of ice and flavored water so that I don’t get overheated and dehydrated. Look for my similar post next week! I started it over the weekend!
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Oh I can’t wait! I kind of threw my post together! And, I’m rusty at the beginning of the season.
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Last summer I bought a very nice cooling bag at Aldi! We actually use it as a boat bag without anything cool in it (…) just because it’s so sturdy and cute. We mostly bring coffee and fika anyways, so no need for cooling…
I recognize that spray bottle, it’s from Dollar tree, right? We have one too, but not for water – it’s a great idea though!
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Oh those are great! You bring coffee on the boat? I have only brought iced coffee!
It’s from Target, I think. I use it to spritz my hair, too, all year round.
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Sunburned lips are so painful! I also hate when my feet get burned. Applying and reapplying is so important when it comes to sunscreen. I saw that Amazon has these dots you can put on kids that turn a color when it’s time to reapply – thought that was a cool idea!
xo,
Kellyann
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Right! I hate that. My kids once forgot their feet when they were too old for me to do their sunscreen (on their feet) and they were in such pain. That’s so cool!
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Great post and thanks for the tip for keeping the phone cool!
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Thank you! It really works! My iphone used to heat up all the time on the boat!
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That’s a great pro tip about phone/cooler! I’ve seen some products at TJ, but haven’t purchased them. Maybe I can check them out this summer.
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I love their regular face moisturizer, too. I think they have some good stuff in that section.
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