For the last five years, the Junes Grande Tote has been my go-to beach bag. I’ve never loved the natural color, but the bag itself is hard to beat. It’s large yet folds down to almost nothing, so it barely takes up space in my carry-on. It has interior pockets, which is a big plus in a beach bag. It’s easy to wash, and the mesh lets sand fall right through.

Lately, though, I’ve been eyeing other mesh beach bags, ones for style, as well as function.

The Amazon Find

I bought this one for my recent trip to Aruba, and for the price, it was a great little bag. It held all my beach essentials and looked cute doing it. A woman even stopped me to compliment it because she thought it was the bag that inspired it. My only complaint is that the straps dug into my shoulders when it was full.

The Original

This is the bag the woman thought I was carrying. I’ve had my eye on it for a while, and the Amazon version was really just a placeholder while I made up my mind. I plan to buy it for an upcoming trip, but I have one reservation. After my experience with the Amazon bag, I wonder whether these straps will dig into my shoulders too when the bag is full.

The Colorful Contender

I’ve also been eyeing this colorful option from Cotopaxi. It’s made from “deadstock fabric, which helps keep good material out of landfills.” It packs into its own pocket and has exterior water bottle pockets, which I love. I also love that each bag is made from a different mix of fabrics, no two are exactly alike. At $35, it’s a lot easier to justify than the Parker Thatch. But it leans a little more sporty than fashionable, so I’m still on the fence. Then again, I’m sure I could come up with a scenario where I can use both bags on one trip.

The Society Pick

For now, the Junes Grande Tote still gets my vote. Five years of beach trips have proven its worth, and none of these newer bags has convinced me to retire it.

JUNES THE GRANDE TOTE - $48

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I’ve been using Bandolier crossbody phone cases for so long that a friend told me she thinks I started the crossbody phone case trend. She’d never seen anyone carrying one before she saw me. Shhh, don’t tell her, but I actually saw it on a celebrity first.

Here’s what I wrote on The Hammock Society blog about the first one I bought, back in 2020:

The Nicole Pebble Leather Crossbody by Bandolier has been my best purchase this summer. It is liberating, like the Knomo London weekend card case I bought eons ago. There are many crossbody bags out there for phones. I looked at quite a few before deciding on the Nicole by Bandolier. The pebbled leather is supple and comfortable, and the gold hardware gives it a bit of a luxe feel. It elevates every outfit, even the t-shirt and shorts I wear to the beach.

I still use that Nicole. Six years later. They don’t even make it anymore.

I’ve never lost my phone while using the crossbody chain. The one time I switched to the wristlet, guess what? I dropped my phone in an Uber. Luckily, the driver was kind enough to return it and didn’t even charge me a fee.

I’m now eyeing this Lily Chrome Set (pictured above) for when I upgrade my phone.

I’ve tried several crossbody phone holders over the years, but I always come back to Bandolier. 10/10 highly recommend!

LILY CHROME CROSSBODY PHONE CASE - $158

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When I started The Hammock Society blog back in 2020, my great-nephew, who was ten at the time, suggested, with absolutely no humorous intent, that I should rename it The Fallen Society. He was referring to my penchant for falling out of hammocks.

The last time I dared to swing in a net hammock, one of my toes got caught in the netting as I tried to dismount, and that thing flung me like a rag doll. But I was lucky. Hammocks sends roughly 3,000 people to the ER each year. So hear me when I say this: if you love hammocks like I do, learn how to get in and out safely.

My favorite is the St. Lucia hammock from Yellow Leaf Hammocks. I had the pleasure of swinging in one at a vacation rental in Costa Rica, and it has been high on my list ever since. It’s soft, handwoven and designed not to flip or wobble, especially appealing to someone with my history. I can’t wait to hang one in my own backyard one day.

ST. LUCIA HAMMOCK · $229

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For years, I wondered why people wore hats into the ocean. Well, when I started seeing pre-mature wrinkles on my face in my 30s, I understood pretty quickly.

I can’t undo the sun damage from all those years of not protecting my face, but I can stop adding to it. So, in addition to sunscreen, I never head to the beach without a sun-protective hat. Both of mine are from Bluestone Sunshields, a brand I use and highly recommend. I wear the Shorty Lux on the sand and the Softest Visor in the water.

And yes, I actually swim in it. When my face is in the water, I flip it backward, the way guys wear their baseball caps. No more post-beach-vacation skin regrets for this gal.

SHORTY LUX · $60

SOFTEST VISOR · $30

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