Build a Better Beach Bag: Seaside & Poolside Must-Haves

When you go to the beach or pool, do you find that you end up packing and toting way too much stuff?

You might still need all of the items you're bringing along, but the key is to get more organized in your packing efforts.

Lifestyle coordinator, Justine Santaniello, joins Naturally Savvy host, Lisa Davis, to share her "must-haves" for your beach bag.

First, re-think your beach bag into three separate bags. Don't worry, two out of the three are small. 

Bag #1: Small Travel Pouch
In this bag, you'd keep small beauty and hygiene items; things that you can "freshen up" so you can go straight to another engagement (BBQ, out to dinner with friends). Items might include oil-blotting sheets, lip balm that has SPF (lips are the first areas to burn), hair ties or clips and body cloths/wipes. You might want to also include first-aid items such as bandages and antiseptic.

Bag #2: Cooler
Your cooler doesn't have to be huge. It can be a lunch-size, soft-sided bag that will still fit into your larger beach tote. The biggest concern, says Santaniello, is that drinks take up a lot of room. So, make use of packets of powdered drink options (lemonade, iced tea). Then you just have to bring water. For snacks, pack things like dried fruit or turkey and cheese roll-ups. You want to eat light when you're out in the sun and water, so avoid the beach vendors, where food is often greasy and heavy (not to mention expensive).

Bag #3: Beach Tote
This will be the large bag where you pack towels and other items like beach toys (shovel/bucket, blow-up floaties, etc.). Just make sure it's lined and has inner pockets to keep items organized.

Listen in as Santaniello shares more beach and poolside tips.