6 My Beach Bag Favorites

I am definitely dreaming of being back on the beach today as I sit here in fall Wisconsin temps. Since returning home from our recent vacation we have jumped directly into back-to-school prep for the boys. Just like that, summer is gone. But the week at the beach was everything we needed and more before we start our descent into the cold and busy months ahead.

Earlier this week I shared some of our favorite tips for traveling on the road; everything from a fillable travel checklist to a cool cooler hack to a first aid kit and travel toys for the boys. But how did we stay organized while we spent our days on the beach? Well, it really wasn't anything earth shattering or mind blowing, but I did think it would still be fun to share a couple items we are beachy keen on and a couple little tips that added extra breeze to our sun and sand filled days.

First, how cute is that beach bag? As many of you know, I became dear friends with Cassie of Hi Sugarplum through this blogging venture. After we fell in love with the great state of Florida and its beautiful beaches, we encouraged Cassie's clan to join us in lounging by the aqua blue waters and exploring the quaint island of Anna Maria. That was three years ago and it has sort of turned into this amazing little tradition of getting our families together and forming really special bonds and memories. This year leading up to our trip I received a surprise delivery and inside was a darling tassel adorned beach bag. I love it and the special pal who sent it my way.

The contents of the tote looked a little different every day, but there were a few things that I found to be really helpful.

My biggest tip is to organize the interior of the bag with pouches! I know, you are completely shocked because I organize everything with pouches. But that is because they work! So yes to pouches and a double yes to pouches that are waterproof and easy-to-rinse/clean.

The main pouch I utilized was a cosmetic case for holding all of my favorite beach friendly toiletries.

SUNSCREEN // This is a no brainer. Sunfilled days need sunscreen covered bodies.

LIP BALM // I find that my lips suffer from too much time in the sun so I picked up some SPF lip balm and not only does it protect, but it comes in some really great scents!

LEAVE IN CONDITIONER // The ocean creates some crazy hair, so I filled a travel size spray bottle with leave-in-conditioner to begin the hair taming process.

WET BRUSH // Condition first, then fight snarls with a brush made specifically for tangled messes. I would be in tears without this combination.

SURF SPRAY // If we plan to hang out for awhile after the beach, I like to add some surf spray to my hair which adds extra curl and tames the frizz.

HAND SANITIZER // Because I am sort of a germaphobe.

BABY POWDER // Easily helps to remove sticky sand from the body and hair.

DEODORANT WIPES // I love these things! I am always nervous that my deodorant stick will melt in the heat, so these are a great alternative for feeling fresh after hours in the hot sun.

COCONUT WATER FACE MIST // This happy surprise was a family favorite! Not only was it a wonderful way to hydrate our skin, but the smell was so invigorating. Anytime we felt hot, sweaty, sticky, or just plain yuck, this stuff made all of that go away and it dried almost instantly. This spray also came in quite handy during our 24-hour drives.

The next set of pouches were used to protect valuables inside of the bag from water and sand. I used this Martha Stewart set from Staples and the various sizes couldn't have worked out better.

MAGAZINES // The large size pouch fit a couple of magazines and/or books and protected the pages from becoming soggy and wrinkled.

TECH // The medium size pouch held an underwater camera and our cell phones, keeping them free of sand.

ACCESSORIES // The small size pouch was put to use holding my jewelry and hair accessories.

I wasn't sure if I was over-spending for this next product, but having it for over a year now, I can say we find it to be worth every penny. This large Wet Suit bag easily fits all five of our swimsuits and prevents everything else in the beach bag from getting damp. The set comes with a larger sack and a smaller zip pouch, which I typically utilize for goggles or sunglasses. Oh, and because I know I will get asked, this is the source for my swimsuit, and it is the softest, most comfortable suit I have ever owned.

When the boys were younger we would bring an entire slotted bin to the beach filled with sand toys, but now that they are older they either play in the water, dive and search for seashells, play catch with a Nerf football or play with paddles in the sand. So, I like to toss a hard-sided, lidded container into the bag to hold their shells and prevent them from breaking. We also bring a net or mesh sack (not pictured), for the boys to use while searching for shells in the sea.

We also pack a waterproof Bluetooth speaker and use to add a little extra fun or ambiance to the day. That said, we try to remain respectful to those around us and only play our tunes at low levels when others are near.

COLLAPSABLE COOLER // If we were only going to be on the beach for a few hours, this soft-sided cooler was ideal for holding a couple of waters and juices as well as a few small snacks. Some days we would pack up the larger cooler to leave in the car with full meal making supplies, and then just head up at lunch time and restock this smaller one for the remainder of the day (see how we pack our cooler here). It is a great size and also really easy to clean and it just folds down and stores inside of the beach-bag in-between uses.

Last but not least, about halfway through the trip we realized we preferred using Turkish towels over regular beach towels. It was hot enough that we didn't need a heavy weighted towel to warm up, and the Turkish towels roll up nice and compact. The best part is that they don't trap or hold sand, so they are great for laying out and also double as a sarong.

My in-laws keep their place stocked with lightweight folding beach chairs and a large umbrella, and they are really crucial for sun protection and comfort when spending that much time on the beach. I couldn't imagine our days without them, and the good news is that many beach towns have places that will rent those items out if you travel by plane. Of course, we also bring hats and sunglasses for the entire crew as well.

It is inevitable that clothes and random items are tossed into the bag as it is rummaged through over the course of the day, so the pouches really are crucial in protecting items and keeping things somewhat manageable.

So what am I missing? Do you have any products that are a must for the perfect sun, sand and sea day? I would love to hear if there is anything we should add to our beach bag next year (which is much too far away).

21 Do It Yourself: Window Planter Box

Every summer I swear that we are going to focus on making some major changes to the exterior of our home, and then every summer flies by and boom, we are buried in multiple feet of snow again. It was time to do something outdoors, and a sad little garage window was calling our names. Plus, we always like to do small things that make a big difference, and today's project is definitely one of those!

We have a small window on the side of our garage that I rarely think about, however, I really should give it more attention because it is street facing.

As much as it always pains me to show our embarrassing before photos, I feel it is necessary in a world of picture perfect online photo streams. So there you go. Overgrown yard, neglected window, Craigslist items piled in the garage...

There were two goals for this little window; the first was to add shutters that match the ones installed on the front of our home, and the second was to install a bulkier planter box filled with more blooms.

We no longer had the specific details on the shutters that were installed when we built 16 years ago, so I searched around online and found some that were almost identical on this website here. After measuring the garage window, I placed an order for two gray shutters that were a total of $35.00, and held my breath until they arrived.

In the meantime, I also began looking for window planter boxes that were as wide as the window and had some sort of decorative detailing. Sticker shock set in and I knew we could whip some up on our own vs. buying new and custom. We decided to start with this garage window, and if we liked the outcome we would also eventually build more for the front of our house as well.

Window measurements in hand (our window is 48" wide), we went to our local home improvement store to look at wood options. Knowing we would ultimately be painting the wood with exterior grade paint, we decided on some inexpensive 1" x 8" x 8' common boards. Two to be exact. We also purchased some decorative trim pieces, this one for the top of the box and this for the bottom and corners.

To create the box, we built a simple "u" shape that we capped on each end.

We cut the two common boards with our sliding miter saw and nailed them together using our brad nailer and some 1 3/8" nails. We also used wood glue to be sure everything was nice and secure.

We get a lot of questions about the type of compressor we use with our brad nailer and it is just a small 2-gallon option that we purchased quite a few years ago. Ryobi now offers a cordless/compressor-less brad nailer that we are considering, but in the meantime, we are OK toting this small compressor around as we work on our home projects.

Once the box frame was built, we moved on to trimming it out with some decorative moulding.

Measure and mark...

Cut...

Glue...

Nail (this time with 5/8" nails)...

Same steps were followed for the corner trim and some lattice trim we added as a strip down the front center.

Once everything was assembled, we caulked all of the holes and edges. We did this twice in spots to be sure everything was sealed and moisture resistant.

After sanding it down smooth, I gave the window box three coats of exterior paint in Behr's Marquee Ultra Pure White.

To mount the planter box below the window I used some brackets found at Home Depot. They came in a black finish so I spray painted them white so they would disappear under the box.

Above you can see that I also added a couple of decorative corbels to the bottom of the planter. I had been saving these specifically for this project from our previous laundry room shelves. We had a total of six corbels which means we can still do two more window boxes on the front of our house to match. I painted the corbels in the exterior white paint and we affixed them to the bottom with some screws. They are not for structure, just for looks.

My biggest concern was drainage when we water or there is rain, so we did two things. First, we drilled small drainage holes in the bottom of the planter near the front half. Secondly, we mounted the box angled in a way that the water would drain away vs. toward the house and down the siding. However, the angle is minimal enough that it isn't noticeable unless you are very up close and personal.

Although, up close and personal is just what I want to be! I absolutely love the planter box and all of the bright and colorful blooms now growing inside.

The shutters ended up matching almost perfectly; there are some very slight and minimal differences but no one would ever notice unless they were held side by side, and even then the variations would be challenging to spot. And considering this is on a completely different side of the house, that will never happen. I couldn't be more thrilled that we were able to find something so inexpensive to help add some oomph to the little window.

The tools and paint were items we had on hand, as were the corbels, so the window box was the cost of the wood ($10) and some detail trim ($12) and the mounting brackets ($10). For under $70 we were able to add shutters and a large decorative flower box! Two small changes that really took this side of the house to a new level. It is almost good enough to distract from the fence that needs staining nearby. Almost...

To be fair, removing the broken screen, washing the windows and mowing were also helpful updates.

So many more projects like this that I would love to get crossed off of our list this summer, including building two more of these guys. Fingers crossed we still have a few more months left before the frost starts covering the ground again.

45 Quick Tip Tuesday: No Matter the Sport, Be "Tote"ally Prepared

Sometimes the best organizational helpers are the most obvious.  A few years ago I put together a "ball" bag that I took with me to watch my boys play their sports.  After using it a few times, I proceeded to keep it stocked with the same items and just stored it on a hook near our door.  Every time I grab for that bag (which is multiple times per week), I tell myself to share it with you all.  It is such a simple little kit that ensures I am always ready to head to our children's sporting events.

I have used a few different types of totes, blankets and snack containers over the years, and have finally nailed down a few favorites that have stood up to our weekly trips to baseball, soccer and football fields.

My first tip is to pre-pack as much of the bag as possible, so if heading out the door in a rush, there is not a lot to gather or think about.  My next tip is to keep it basic.  Sure, I could load up a wagon full of activities and snacks, but I really don't want to be responsible for all of that or transport it through parking lots and fields.

Here are a the items you will find in my ball bag each week:

And a bit more detail regarding each item...

I have used about three different totes over the years, and my favorite to date is this large tote from Target.

It is large enough to hold everything shown above, and the finish is a breeze to keep clean.  Things have spilled inside, and the outside has been dusty and dirty, and it wipes up easily with no signs of wear.  At the same time, the bag is inexpensive and nothing I worry about as we lug it around and toss it haphazardly into the trunk of the car.  In the past I have used fabric totes, and they always end up with stains, holes and dirty after a game or two, only to wear down after a few washes.  Another tote I see mom's "sporting" frequently are the utility totes from Thirty-One.  You can never go wrong with multiple pockets!

Next up, the quilt!

I actually purchased this quilt a few years ago for family picnics.  I found it on sale for around $30 in the full/queen size, and it fits our family of five perfectly.  After taking it to a few games, it became our new ball blanket.  It is heavy enough to keep us warm during cold and rainy nights in the spring and fall, and folds over a few times to provide nice cush on the bleachers.  Locations that don't offer bleachers mean we just spread it out in the grass.  The best part is that I have washed this blanket so many times, and not a single loose thread.  I am easily thrilled, and a blanket that can hold up to our nightly abuse for a few years now?  #impressed

To keep it compact enough for our bag, I roll it up like a sleeping bag and use an elastic headband to keep it tight.

You all know I utilize pouches to organize just about everything, and inside of this tote is no exception.

One of these durable zipper pouches corrals rain ponchos, bug spray, a mini first aid kit and sunscreen.  I never have to remove this pouch from the ball bag, and if anything leaks, the remaining belongings in the bag are still safe.

Other important items are an instant cold pack and baby wipes.  The cold pack is in case of injury (we have had our share of those during games), and the wipes are my favorite for quick hand and face cleanings.  Well, really for cleaning just about anything on-the-go.

We travel quite a bit for sports; sometimes leaving for the parks right after school.  My kiddos were always allured by the concession stands and asking for money, and it got old quick.  To tide them over until lunch or dinner, these snack containers have been awesome!

The handy containers hold enough for two boys to snack from, and stack nicely inside of the tote.  They also ensure that the food and snack pouches don't become crushed or crumbled, making them ideal for everything from crackers to fruits and veggies.  In fact, I have fallen in love with Snapware for my own weekly snacks as well.  I try to pack a few of these on Sundays, or at least the night before a game, so we can quickly toss them into the bag on our way out the door.

Finally, it is important for everyone to stay hydrated.  The boys have had these water bottles for a few years, and they have held up well to our dishwasher.  However, the straws are a bit obnoxious, so I am thinking of eventually swapping them for these.

When it comes to my own water, I personally love these water bottles.

And that is it!  We keep a few activities in our car that the boys can do during the games, or else they will just bring a book, scooter or their own ball gloves.

Alright fellow sport parents, do you have a similar system or any additional tips to add?  We have times in which we are at some sort of sporting activity every single night of the week, so this bag has been a true "game changer".  #punintended

79 Getting Our Groove On in the Garage!

Time for another garage update and this one is a doozy!  We have been working away to finally get to the finish line and with one project left, we are in the final stretch.

So although I have been a little MIA lately {kids home for summer vacation, 2015 planner launch approaching and garage takeover in full swing}, today you are getting about five posts in one!  Can I get a woo hoo!?

Let's begin and take a look at what I started with at the end of last year.... seriously scary stuff!

The garage was a clutter catcher.  It held items to project, items to donate, items for extended family, items to build, items purchased on Craigslist, everything we didn't know what to do with.... Cars were not parked here, toys were a challenge to access, it was discouraging and just down right out of control.

A few years ago I had my mind set on adding beautiful paneling around the exterior garage walls.  My thought was that it would extend the living space our home offered while giving me a space that I was motivated to love and maintain.  We started adding the beadboard paneling two years ago when we installed our sport's station.  Then it all came to a halt until late last fall.  Other projects, busy schedules and lack of motivation all played a part in the delay.

Last fall we decided to do what we could to move forward with the garage makeover so we could get our cars parked in the garage for winter.  We started purging down our clutter and even began installing our upper cabinet storage.  But winter approached faster than we could work and soon it became far too cold to be productive.  We made space for one of our two cars and after another big cleaning this spring, it was still looking a little overwhelming.

As we worked on the garage, we realized more and more what a big project it was becoming.  Here is a list of everything we can now say we accomplished over the past year:

• Finished the ceiling and upper walls by taping, mudding, sanding and painting the sheetrock.
• Built wall-to-wall upper cabinets
• Primed and painted newly built cabinets
• Installed beadboard paneling 
• Installed base trim and molding 
• Caulked paneling seams and trim 
• Finished purging all garage contents - wiped down everything remaining
• Organized garden tools and yard supplies within the garden shed
• Installed shelving and organized the outdoor toy station
• Installed the bike storage rack
• Installed cabinet hardware
• Painted entry doors
• Painted entry step
• Installed pendant lighting
• Swapped out almond light switches and outlets for white
• Organized contents of upper cabinets

And the very last and final thing on our list will be to re-finish those floors.  So close I can taste it!  Mmmmmm, concrete....

But now that we have come this far, let's take a closer look and chat a little more about the details that make this newly organized space so great!

The outdoor toy storage area is probably one of my most favorite parts.  It is holding up beautifully, super easy for the kiddos to maintain, and it adds life and color to the garage.  Although I am sort of tooting my own horn here, I seriously high-five myself for this area on a daily basis.  All of our outdoor toys are now super simple to access which has made playdates heavenly.

We love being outside during our warmer Wisconsin seasons and all three boys are in outdoor sports.  The sport's station holds items we need for their nightly practices and games; a hook for each boy's bag and baskets below for their footwear.

The stair to the house was looking mighty shabby, but in perfect working condition.  Instead of building a new step, we gave our existing one a good sanding....

I purchased a non-skid additive which I mixed into some paint.  This gave the step a nice built-in grip to prevent slipping should it become wet.

I still added a colorful mat to catch dirt.  Dirt catchers are essential for any entry and color is highly recommended.

Last year we stored our mud boots on the front porch but after receiving daily afternoon sun, they began breaking down and fading.  This year they needed a home inside from the sun and now we finally have the perfect spot for them!  You guys!  It is the little things that really get me excited!

The traveling wall baskets were in my studio for awhile, but now have a new home in the garage.  There is always a small pile of random items that land on our kitchen counter right inside the door, that really belong out in the garage or in the car.  These baskets are fantastic for catching miscellaneous necessities.

I am guessing many of you recognize the sweet hooks I snagged at Target, designed by the darling Young House Love peeps.  Bees were fitting for our outdoor space, and bloggers gotta support bloggers!

You all have seen our new bike storage which has been working like a charm.  The best part of the white paneling we installed is how easily it wipes clean, however, we still may add a little extra protection from the bike tires down the road.

Above the bikes is where the storage magic really happens!

Those upper cabinets were a pretty hefty building project.  To keep it as inexpensive as possible, we used 2x4's to frame everything out, and 1/2" MDF for the bottom and doors.

The 2x4's were all anchored into wall and ceiling studs making this very sturdy storage.  Here is an example diagram of how Bryan framed things out.

The new storage runs wall to wall in the back of the garage and is four feet deep, so that is A LOT of added storage.  And because it is reinforced throughout, it is strong enough to hold me when I climb up and dig around in those bins.  Those wondering where everything in our garage went, this was the answer.

Because the doors are made with MDF, they were a little heavy to hold up while adding or removing items.  To save my arms, we installed simple handles to the fronts of the cabinets {reinforced with washers} and spring clips into the ceiling {also reinforced with 2x4's in the ceiling attic}.

Now I just use a broom handle to clip up the door and grab a nearby ladder.  So good!

Speaking of the ladder, a couple small hooks from IKEA and it now hangs right below the cabinets.

The final organizing project was an old wardrobe which once held our winter wear.  The winter items were placed into bins above, and the cabinet now holds frequently used garage items such as automotive care and picnic gear {cooler, blanket, basket...}.

A few Command Hooks paired with twine was an easy solution for our fire pit poker sticks.

One item I couldn't wait to see installed were the new lights.  I purchased them from Wayfair last fall and they have been sitting in a box since.  I am glad we waited until the ceiling was finished because it just made me love them that much more.  We paired each pendant with a canopy and rod found at Lowes and now they are simply beautiful.  Is that a thing?  Beautiful lighting in a garage?

A few more little project details:

• Beadboard is not the most cost effective way to finish garage walls but I absolutely LOVE that it brightens the space and it washes up so easily {super important in such a dirty part of the home}.  It really is everything we were after and we feel we have maximized our usable entertaining space {one party down, many more to go!}.  
• We trimmed out the beadboard with the same moisture resistant trim we used throughout our lower level.  Love it!
• The top portion of the beadboard was trimmed out with bull-nosed moisture resistant moulding, the corners received a similar style corner moulding.
• The step and ceiling are painted in Behr's Classic Silver.
• The doors are painted in Behr's Cloud Burst {following the same steps as I did with our front door}.
• We can now park both cars in the garage with plenty of room to spare.  Boom shakalaka!

And because a good before and after always rocks our world:

With everything so organized, simplified and clean, it is time to focus our attention to that floor!  It will be our first time re-finishing garage floors but there are a lot of great products on the market so it will just come down to selecting the right one and doing our research.  We have come so far, I have a feeling the floors will be just like putting in that final piece of a 1,000 piece puzzle!