When we first moved to Huntington Beach I was the worlds worst beach mom. No, seriously. The first time we went down to the beach with some new friends I was so completely unprepared it was comical. I wore a t-shirt and a maxi skirt, only to arrive and realize every other mom was in her bathing suit, I didn’t bring a lunch, I had one towel, no extra clothing…I didn’t even bring sunscreen. All the other moms had their beach chairs, a umbrellas, giant vats of baby powder, extra towels, extra sunscreen, and perfect little satchels of snacks. You guys, I was so completely clueless.
To make matters worse, my child was the only one to fall in the waves, so after diving in after him I was completely soaked, making my maxi skirt stretch out so drastically it could have fit nicely on Michael Jordan. I walked home from the beach that day in a t-shirt and a (borrowed) towel, with my maxi skirt draped over the stroller, which periodically slipped off and got caught in the stroller wheels. I was starving, exhausted, and embarrassed.
Now a year and a half later, I’m happy to consider myself a pretty adept beach mom.
These are three of our beach essentials that have made a huge difference in our beach experience:
1. Baby Powder
- That first trip to the beach elicited some crazy stares when I asked why everyone had baby powder. Well it turns out I was the crazy one, cause that stuff is brilliant. Dust some on to your wet sandy children, rub it around, and almost instantly all the water is sucked out of the sand and it just falls off. Now I too carry around a giant vat of it.
2. Folding Backpack Beach Chair
- We picked up two of these chairs shortly after the first beach day fiasco, and I can’t live without them. They fold up into a backpack so I can carry them hands free, they have a big pouch on the back to carry all the (sandy) beach toys to and from the beach, and they’re surprisingly comfortable.
3. Snacks
- I don’t know what it is about the beach, but the moment we get down there we are all starving — even me. Even if we’ve just had breakfast. I can’t explain it. So I’ve learned to always have a bag of snacks on hand. NatureBox sent us one of their monthly snack boxes and they were absolutely perfect for a day at the beach. Their individual packages were so easy to throw in the beach bag, great for my kids to sit on the beach towel and munch on, they’re healthy (made completely of wholesome and unprocessed ingredients), and they’re super delicious. Unless you’re my baby, who ate nearly the entire bag of Cherry Berry Bonanza by himself, the bags are all full size and have 3-5 servings in them so they last for more than one beach trip. They have 3 different Box options — Deluxe Snacker (5 bags for $19.95), Happy Snacker (10 bags for $29.95), and Smart Snacker (20 bags for $49.95), and you get to choose your snacks each month so you can try all different kinds! Our favorites were the Cherry Berry Bonanza, Everything Bagel Stix, and the Dark Cocoa Almonds. I’m drooling even thinking about them.
The roasted sea salt chickpeas are calling my name!
I'm a sucker for any kind of granola! Sunriseview88@gmail.com
Mmm all of them, but probably the country ranch peas or the mango orange fruit chews : ) whatyoumakeitblog@gmail.com
Dark chocolate berry trail mix! 🙂
I would love to try those mango orange fruit chews. They sound amazing!! And such a bonus that they are soy and dairy free. Jenblazz@gmail.com
Cherry berry bonanza
Yum! Peanut butter nom noms..no wait, everything bagel stix?!
Recently discovered your blog and LOVE it. Never subscribed to a blog before!
Oops….jackielittle33@hotmail.com
That dark chocolate berry trail mix looks amazing!
mgibbel at gmail dot com
We also currently live by the beach, although we are moving inland in one month and we're pretty sad about it. We love walking to the beach, but I just never know what to do with the stroller once we get there. It doesn't move well on the sand. My solution is to lock it up with a bike lock. What do you do?
All of the pretzel pops. Yum! becke_lamarche@yahoo.com
Great photos! So cute!
The Style Storm
<3, Christina
Blueberry almond ..look delish..
Blueberry almond ..look delish..
I like the sound of that Peanut Butter Nom Nom!
heidimhopper [at] gmail [dot] com
That baby powder tip is A-Mazing! I don't even have kids and I'm gonna take some with me to the beach next time! Naturebox has way more flavors than I expected. I have to say, those Dark Cocoa Almonds are calling my name!
PB&J Granola sounds amazing!! lucas.amanda@gmail.com
the baked sweet potato fries look so good! kyliedfc@gmail.com
Baked sweet potato fries!
Heidimarkcards @ gmail.com
I really want to try the baked sweet potato fries!
cconnelly47@yahoo.com
I want to try the cranberry almond bites.
Pacholke21@gmail.com
The sweet blueberry almonds, peppery chickpeas, smoky pumpkin seeds, and definitely the cherry berry bonanza! So many yummy looking snacks!!!
seizethesparkle@gmail.com
I'm not entering in the giveaway (I'm from Germany), but I wanted to take the chance to tell you that I really liked this post. it so makes me want to go to the beach right now 😉
The Carrot Strawbery Fruit Chews look tasty! becky.goerend at gmail
I would love to try the Citrus Chipotle Chickpeas- they sound delicious!
steviegreekstorck@gmail.com
It all looks delicious. Maybe the dried California peaches.
girlmommy(dot)sheila(at)gmail(dot)com
Mango Orange Fruit Crews…YUMMY
I would love to try the Sriracha Roasted Cashews or the Sweet Blueberry Almonds! kayleyelrick@gmail.com
It all looks good. The apple pie oat clusters especially. mmcneal4@yahoo.com
The blueberry almonds sound so interesting!
The Everything Bagel Stix sound delicious, as do the Sour Cream and Onion Almonds!
Alissa K
emu1127@yahoo.com
Where to begin … I'd definitely go for the salted caramel pretzel pops. And anything with almonds!!
cranberry macaroon granola sounds delish! steph8230@hotmail.com
Any of the nom noms or figgy bars! Whitneyannparry@gmail.com
Salted caramel pretzel pops sound mighty intriguing.
who can choose?! but the blueberry almond looks yummy! kateandoli@gmail.com
Big island pineapple! laurabredeson@hotmail.com
The Chipotle Maple Almonds look amazing! lizz.pierson@gmail.com
I would looove to try any of the sticks, but the Sweet Blueberry Almonds look to die for! As a college student and nanny, I am always looking for healthy snacks to eat between classes that I can share with the kids too! 🙂
lizzyspit@aol.com
Chipotle Chikpeas! They look so delicious!
i forgot to add my email! child.of.eve@gmail.com
I'd like to try the cashew power clusters! samanthaseufert@gmail.com
If I had to choose, it would either be the Honey Macadamia Pretzel Pops and the Pistachio Power Crunch
PBJ Granola?! Sign me up for some of that! I made need to use the promo code ahead of time!
paigeflamm@gmail.com
Ummmm, everything looks amazing. I think I would want to try the Country Ranch Peas first!
robyn.swensen at gmail dot com
Ok I'm hungry now! Want to try those bruschetta pretzel pops!!
Mmm, the sour cream and onion almonds sound delicious! emeraldream@hotmail.com
Just send me the granola! Thanks for the giveaway.
The sweet potato fries look delish! kimberlywoodhead@gmail.com
Those cashew power clusters look great! alyssa.olsen@gmail.com
The PB&J granola sounds great! thelastnovember@gmail.com
My girls and I would love the Sea Salt Chickpeas and Sweet Potato fries! Just in time for summer picnics 🙂
I just kept seeing more and more snacks that looked better and better! Yum! The banana bread granola and dark cocoa almonds look delicious!!
rg86@nau.edu
The honey macadamia nut pretzel bites sound so good!
Lmmayer (at) outlook (dot) com
the honey macadamia pretzel pops look amazing!
kelly.holmquist@gmail.com
Any of the mixes with nuts would be a hit in my home, I bet the Pb&J granola wouldn't last long either.
ltkibbe at yahoo dot com
Wow I did not expect their selection to be so huge! It would be super hard to decide. Apple Pie Oat Clusters, Carrot Strawberry Chews or Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops… Oh my! Lindseyschubert@gmail.com
The variety is so gorgeous, it's hard to pick only one, but maybe my favorite is pistachio power clusters.
lantosjudit gmail <.> com
This just made me hungry. I am a snacker for sure! I would want all of the following (HA!): Bruschetta Pretzel Pops, Roasted Sea Salt Chick Peas, Roasted Kettle Kermels, Banana Bread Granola, Toasted Sesame Stix, and Yogurt Dipped Pretzels. I had to stop there to get something to eat!
kaitlin.rackham@gmail.com
Banana bread granola! YUM! mmcollins4288@yahoo.com
They all look good, but we'd have to go with the salt and pepper pumpkin seeds!
jenniferice at live.com
I would love to try the PB&J Granola
I would love to try the honey macadamia pretzel pops!
Oh my. That dark chocolate berry trail mix looks amazing. Sounds like the best summer snack!! kennyandshana@gmail.com
I would love to try the Peanut Butter Nom Noms–anything with peanut butter for me! Thanks for the giveaway! meganwbark@gmail.com
Great tips…I laughed at how much I would have been like you at that first trip to the beach! And thanks for doing a giveaway too. Those Guacamole Bites look pretty good to try!
^* I forgot to put my email the first time! Linskitchen@gmail.com 🙂
PB&J Granola. What a genius idea! And thanks for the tips – we're moving to Turkey this summer and will be spending time at the Mediterranean. Stocking up on baby powder for sure!
I am such a mindless snacker, this would be perfect for me! I might even be able to get my husband interested in nutritious food with these options! Especially those Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops… rschorse@gmail.com
Blueberry almonds!
Sarahehaynie@gmail.com
They all sound amazing and as someone who tries to only eat all natural ingredients, I was sold immediately. My eyes looked right to Apple Pie Oat Clusters… Yummmmm. My email is ktemple1984@yahoo.com. Thank you!
I would love to try the cashew power clusters! Yum! tcole726@msn.com
The Lemon Meringue Waffles sound delicious. leashamama@gmail.com
The Honey Macadamia Pretzel Pops and Poppy Seed Sticks look yummy. JuliePach@gmail.com
I've been wanting to try their sweet blueberry almonds since I heard about them on a podcast that they sponsor!
annaliesefoote at gmail dot com
That is a very tough choice!! Everything looks delish! I guess I would go with the pumpkin praline seeds because that has to be amazing!! Great giveaway! Thanks! yemevoy@sbcglobal.net
Chocolate berry trail mix!!
Flourgirl4 at gmail (dot)com
What a fantastic Giveaway and Post! I'm a new beach mom in L.A., it really does takes some figuring! The snack I'd like to try most are those Salted Carmel Pretzel Pops. Though, all their snacks look awesome! email: hansen (dot) hilary (at) gmail (dot) com
I would like the santa fe corn stix!
skyejaden at gmail dot com
The banana bread granola looks amazing. I want to try it all though.
I would love to try the lemon tea biscuits. Also, your story was hilarious 🙂 kelsi.leavitt@gmail.com
the PB&J granola (which sounds AH-mazing!) or the carrot and strawberry fruit chews…I can't decide. Iv'e never heard of nature box I'm excited 😉
Choc.berry trail mix for sure! cosmanski@wi.rr.com
All the fruit chews look so yummy and i bet my kids would love them, too! Lisaboshell@gmail.com
I would love to try the granny smith apples, I'm obsessed with dried apples right now! Thanks! jessung3 at gmail dot com
My friend brought these to church and we all nommed on a bunch of packages. I didn't get to try the Salted Carmel Pretzel Pops though–those look delicious!
Also, I LOOOOOOVE those beach chairs. We got them from Costco (not as cute as your striped one though!) and that pillow is a dream. I don't know about yours, but ours have a mini cooler pack attached to the back too, which is so fun to tuck away snacks to keep them cold!
You're little boy is really cute!
¡SORTEO en el blog! Lauraherder.blogspot.com
Dark chocolate berry trail mix!
Allison.vandusen@gmail.com
My two boys would love these! The dried apples & of course the chic berry trail mix sound so yummy!
jessica10e@hotmail.com
Those salted caramel pretzel pops – yes, please!!
obrien.rachelmarie@gmail.com
Sweet blueberry almonds! They sound so good.
meliss_f@yahoo.com
The apple pie oat clusters sound really good!
The Carrot Strawberry fruit chews and their baked sweet potato fries (because I love experimenting with sweet potatoes).
See Cassie Run @ Gmail . Com
I'd love to try the Sriracha Roasted Cashews
latina40299@gmail.com
Roasted kettle corn! Yum…
The Chili Munch Mix looks good, but I really want to sty the Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Pumpkin Seeds.
wtiger9 at bellsouth dot net
Blueberry Almond bites, please!
tracysoule@gmail.com
Mango orange fruit chews! Coachgarvey at gmail dot com
I want to try the poppy seed sticks!
i absolutely LOVE naturebox!!! such delicious treats! i am expecting my first any day this week and would love to have snacks ready to go! the Salted Carmel Pretzel Pops sound heavenly!!! crossing my fingers!
calliecockrell@gmail.com
Mango orange fruit chews! Lauriedolezal@gmail.com
Mango orange fruit chews! Lauriedolezal@gmail.com
The Honey Macadamia Pretzel Pops sound great 🙂
alaine74014 at gmail dot com
The Salted Caramel Pretzel bites look divine! We're moving to DC next week and I imagine adding some healthy snacks to my diaper bag will be a glorious addition to cheerios for me and the lil guy, and maybe the hubs 😉
I would love to try the vanilla macaron granola and the everything bagel sticks. I don't have kids, but my hubby and I sure love snacks and are always looking for delicious and healthy ones! Caitlinlassley@gmail.com
Banana Bread Granola is what sounds great right now! emailandreataylor@gmail.com
Tough choice! Maybe the Mango Almond Bites or the Smoky BBQ Peas.
Oh, sorry, braynofchalayn @ gmail.com
I think the Yogurt Dipped Pretzels
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
I always wondered who Duck resembled 🙂 Now I can see you in Duck as well 😀 I believe you have very strong genes – both Peanut and Duck resemble here !!!
Ohh those cashew power clusters look AMAZING. mysticgypsy128@gmail.com
either the sweet blueberry almonds or the umami almonds – both sound delish! tanyakanner @ gmail.com
I'm on a low sugar diet so I love that you can have no sugar added treats sent to your door!
I would be all over those poppyseed sticks!
mysecretagentloverman at gmail dot com
I'd love to try the cranberry almond bites. cltrash at ymail dot com
The baked sweet potato fries sound great! Such adorable pictures!
Karenyuan at gmail.com
Wow, there's a lot to choose from! The cheddar sourdough pretzels look pretty good!
athleticgirl7@juno.com
I've been wanting to try the honey crunch crisps! 🙂 themickeyness (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
Those dried pears look yummy! sarahjpolk@gmail.com
Peanut butter nom noms or dark chocolate berry trail mix, so hungry now 🙂
Karen.hillukka@gmail.com
I'd love to try out the Bruschetta Pretzel Pops. They sound delicious!
connsean@yahoo.com
The Cranberry Almond Bites are making me hungry.
apicazo@umich.edu
The Honey Macadamia Pretzel Pops sound yummy!
Healthy fruit snacks?! I must eat them!
mrsmeganswenson at gmail dot com
Healthy fruit snacks?! I must eat them!
mrsmeganswenson at gmail dot com
Dark Cocoa Almonds sound amazing!
kmitch98 at gmail dot com
Mmmm, mango orange chews sound delicious!!
Awhickus@gmail
Mhmmm deffianlty the sweet blueberry almonds or honey macadamia pretzel pops they all sound amazing would love to try!!
ishanaingram@yahoo.com
salted caramel pretzel pops
Pb&j granola, looks awesome! ashleejuanita13@hotmail.com
Peanut Butter Nom Noms look so good (and the name cracks me up)!
snookphelia (at) hotmail (dot) com
I'm very curious about the chipotle mango almonds!
Occasionallyaj@gmail.com
The figgy bars! Sounds like a good alternative to my guilty pleasure fig newtons. 🙂
amanda.nelson128@gmail.com
I think my little girl will love the PB&J Granola. teachlovecraft@gmail.com
I would love to try the bruschetta pretzel bites! ctyler009@gmail.com
Bruschetta pretzel pops for sure!
natgreen85@gmail.com
This post was super helpful. My sister wanted these beach chairs for her birthday and (living in a colder climate) I had no idea where to buy them. And the baby powder trick is great – I will definitely be throwing in a bottle of that with her gift. Thanks for sharing!
As a self-diagnosed peanut butter addict I'd LOVE to try the Peanut Butter Nom Nom's 🙂 hisekke@mail.uc.edu
I would love to try their seaweed rice pops!
jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com
Salted Carmel Pretzel pops for sure! Also the strawberry carrot fruit chews. My 4 year old would love them! Thanks for the baby powder trick! ginnifers@hotmail.com
Too many to choose just one….the minute I got to the "sweet" section I was drooling. That being said, the French Toast granola looks awesome!
Sofia spfpfc@gmail.com
PB&J granola?? Yes please!!
rachelcole8108@gmail.com
The baked sweet potato fries sound yum 🙂
danielleaknapp at gmail dot com
salted caramel pretzel pops? what! bench.amanda@gmail.com
I was going to say the sunshine chips, but then I saw the bruschetta pretzel pops! My sister would love the coffee kettle popcorn!
twinart at juno dot com
roasted sea salt chickpeas! Yum!
lisagjacobsen@gmail.com
French toast granola!
rjandjessie@yahoo.com
Great choices! Apart from refreshment, I always make sure to pack some toys for my kids to keep them busy while we relax. By the way, NatureBox is my son's favorite snacks too!
Great post you wrote dear. I really appreciate your wisdom and command on your selected topic. In addition, I have a small business ideas for your visitors which is Delivery Snack Boxes. By doing Delivery Snack Boxes people can make a smart way of income as part time or full time.
Thank you
Best Regards,
Hitesh
My Boy friend just bought this jacket and when he wear this i like hm so much.
SO NICE BLOG I LIKE IT The Gentlemen Coach Tracksuit
Microsoft 365 is an official portal to activate and start your Microsoft 365 product including office apps, cloud services and other collaboration services
I have had a faux moto leather jacket with gold hardware in my closet that I bought a few years ago. While I like the fit and style of the jacket leather jacket costume
Fashion enthusiasts and style devotees are always excited to adopt the style of the top celebrities of Hollywood movies and their popular outfitS MOVIE LEATHER JACKETS.
Fashion is actual a trending toping in the world. Your fashion blogging sense is too good. Stylish and designing you choose, it’s better. American Gods Coat
I learned a lot about the topic and it was presented in a clear and concise manner. Great job!
I’ve been looking for a new jacket and it looks perfect.
Peaky Blinder Costume
One Jacket, Two Ways” brilliantly showcases versatility! Mixing and matching styles not only maximizes your wardrobe but also reflects your unique fashion sense. Embrace the art of transformation and redefine your look effortlessly.
As I read your words, I’m reminded that the power of storytelling can unite us all, transcending boundaries and differences.
Regards!