My Beach Essentials

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1. I am a strictly-in-the-shade kind of gal. A big old beach umbrella, putting me fully out of the way of the sun, is a must.

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2. However, you can't avoid the sun all the time, so I will also be slathering on a lot of sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group recommends these sunscreens.

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3. I was not cut out for sitting out and sunning on the beach -- I get bored easily. Last year I brought a bunch of magazines to read while sitting in the shade; this year I will be bringing my Kindle Fire with me. I've loaded my Kindle with a wide-range of magazine titles, many of which I haven't had a chance to read in a few months. I'm looking forward to catching up on my reading while sitting in the sand. And if I get super-bored, I can always download and watch a movie or TV show via my Amazon Prime membership. (Seriously, so worth the annual fee, IMHO.)

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4. Lots of cool drinks are essential in the Florida heat. I'm thinking sangria could be a delicious option after a day spent in the sun. I'll be partaking in the alcoholic kind (I think this recipe would be perfect), but for those who can't partake, I think the non-alcoholic version pictured above from The Kitchn would be an awesome alternative.

What are your must-haves for a beach vacation?