7 Things I’m Packing for Vacation

Beach Vacay, here we come! We are heading to Hilton Head Island soon and while I’m rounding up things around the house in preparation to pack, I thought it would be fun to share a few things coming along with me! The boys have never been to the ocean, so a week long trip with family is going to be a blast. We rented a house with a pool and are minutes from the beach. I can’t wait! Here is a quick preview of 7 things I’m Packing for Our Vacation!

And while writing this, I’m coming up with way more than 7 items that I want to share, so you’ll see more things listed throughout the post. There are some great deals, cute finds and some things I’ve had forever that will be making the cut, too. 

Read on to see what’s getting packed for our vacation!

Note to self: Don’t wait until the 11th hour to put everything in the suitcase! I never learn!! 

And for a more extensive packing list – check out my travel essentials here!

7 THINGS I’M PACKING FOR OUR VACATION

1 | FLORAL MAXI DRESS – I met a girlfriend for lunch and shopping last weekend and we ended up in the Nordstrom dressing room with all the fun Summer things. It was like one last hoorah before the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale when I start my Fall shopping. With my upcoming trip in mind, I knew I wanted to find at least one dress to wear if we head out to dinner.

I landed on this blue floral maxi and love it! It’s comfortable, stretchy [has a smocked top area], flow-y and is so flattering! I got the extra small.

The flutter sleeves are such a cute detail along with the pretty neckline. I can’t wait to wear it. I think I’ll wear it with these earrings because they are definitely getting packed, too!

2 | FAVORITE UNDER $10 SUNGLASSES – I’ve raved about these before, but if you are looking for a cute inexpensive pair of sunglasses, these are it! They actually come in a 2-pack which equals two pairs for $13! I wear the black with gold ones more, but the tortoise pair with mirrored lenses are super cute too!

I will 100% not feel bad about breaking these or losing them in the ocean ha! I’ve lost and broke a few expensive pairs over the years and it’s the worst!!

3 | A NEW BOOK – My girlfriend, Heather of Southern State of Mind is always sharing her book reviews and Summer beach reading list, so I decided to enlist her help and grab one of her recommendations. I never take the time to read at home other than flipping through an occasional magazine. But on trips and vacations, I like to have one with me to try to sneak in a few minutes here and there.

I ordered Where the Crawdads Sing and Summer of ’69. 

I’ll keep you posted on how much I get through. I’m hoping one of these in it’s entirety. Fingers crossed!

I am seriously so excited to dive into these! I may even start before the trip.

4 | SUNSCREEN – I always have a slew of sunscreen bottles and tubes with me in our pool bag, but recently ordered this BeautyCounter one. I’ve been using BeautyCounter products for a couple years now [makeup, skin care and baby products], so decided to try their sunscreen line. I have the big bottle and will be ordering smaller size to have on hand, too.

Safer beauty products with less chemicals are important for me and especially important to keep in mind when lathering the boys up with sunscreen all Summer long.

I’m also intrigued by the tinted mineral sunscreen, too!

5 | PACKING CUBES – If you’re not traveling with these yet, get on board! They are the best! I shared these black packing cubes in my Spring Break faves post and have contemplated grabbing these super cute leopard ones in tan or pink. But either way, they are a travel MUST. They keep everything organized and together with like things and are such a space-saver.

If you’re looking for a top, you grab your shirts cube. If you need a workout top, its in your athleisure wear cube. Jeans – with the rest of your bottoms.

I love not having to rummage through my entire suitcase which is actually a mess from getting shifted around on the plane!

They are a travel GAME-CHANGER! I’ll never not travel with them again!

6 | BEACH BAG – Beach vacay calls for a beach bag, right?! Basically a catch-all for snacks, sunscreen, books and everything in between!

We have a similar one that I use as my Summer pool bag. Then when we go on Spring break or a Summer vacation, it becomes a carry-on for me too. This one has great reviews, comes in 3 other colors and is under $25. I like that this one is soft-sided like the bag I have, so if you wanted to pack it in your suitcase, it will easily condense down.

Unlike some of those stiff straw bags that don’t pack well. 

This straw purse has been a go-to and I love how tieing a scarf on the handle can totally change the look.

TORTOISE & GOLD BANGLES  || DISTRESSED JEANS  ||  SCARF  || STRAW PURSE  || STUDDED SANDALS

I have this one and this one, but might need this darling 5 piece tropical scarf set for the trip! It’s only $11.99 😉

7 | GRAPHIC TANK – I’ll be living in tanks and shorts or a swim cover-up all week, and thought this one was WAY too cute to not order and bring along! And for only $15, it’s coming with me!

There is this cute pink color and the graphic tank in gray is a great option, too.

And let’s be honest, doesn’t salt water heal everything?!

Of course, I’ve got my travel toiletry bag ready to go, too! It’s the best thing to have mini bottles filled with all of my favorite beauty & skin care products. It even comes with labels!!

And you know my nude studded sandals and gold tube sandals are getting thrown in my suitcase along with a few other pairs of my go-to Summer sandals. I might bring one pair of wedges or heels, but the plan is to be comfy and casual so cute, flat sandals are the answer!

I recently bought these shoe bags to use for travel and love the little clear window at the bottom. It helps so you can see what pairs you have inside. These shoe bags are nylon and love them, too. I just looked back at my order history & I’ve had them since 2011. It can fit 2 [sometimes 3] pairs in each bag.

I recently purchased this hat and love the smaller profile of it and the pop of polka dot is darling.

FEDORA HAT  ||  STAR NECKLACE || ENGRAVABLE GOLD BAR NECKLACE  ||  CHARM NECKLACE  ||  WHITE DRESS

I’ll be packing that fedora hat and a larger, more full-coverage sun hat for the beach. Oh and I’ve been wearing this black scallop detail swimsuit every pool day lately and also have the 2 piece version. Both are coming with!

And for a more extensive packing list – check out my travel essentials here!

I’ll be sure to share anything else fun I brought while I’m there or after we get home. I’m going to do a trip recap for Hilton Head so be on the lookout for that later this Summer! 

What are your vacation essentials? Where are you headed this Summer?!