planning a beach vacation?

if you haven't made use of the Real Simple website, you're missing a few simplifying tips for your home and life.

I was surfing the site today, looking for ideas, and came across something I will need this summer and thought you might need it to:

Beach Vacation Packing Checklist

Use this cheat sheet to remind yourself of what you need to pack (beyond clothes, of course!).

Accessories

• Beach bag
• Flip-flops
• Glasses and/or contact lenses, if necessary (bring an extra pair, too)
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat

Clothing

• Swimsuit
• Swimsuit cover-up

Equipment

• Alarm clock
• Batteries for small electronics and cameras
• Beach blanket
• Beach chairs
• Beach towels
• Beach toys
• Beach umbrella
• Camera (and film, if needed)
• Cell phone
• Chargers for your cell phone, camera, video camera, and laptop
• Cooler
• Fishing poles
• Flotation devices
• Goggles
• Hair dryer
• iPod and iPod dock
• Snorkel and fins
• Video camera

Health and Beauty Items

• Aloe vera gel
• Antibacterial wipes
• Body lotion
• Comb and brush
• Contact lens solution, if needed
• Deodorant
• Face cleanser
• First aid kit, including gas relief tablets, antacid, antidiarrheal medicine, antihistamine for allergies, bandages, candied ginger for motion sickness, mild laxative, non-aspirin pain reliever, thermometer in a hard case
• Floss
• Insect repellent
• Lip balm (choose one with SPF 15)
• Personal-hygiene items
• Prescriptions
• Razors
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Shaving gel
• Soap
• Sunscreen (pack at least one all-purpose sunscreen with SPF 15)
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste

Miscellaneous

• Addresses of friends and family for postcards
• Books
• Healthy snacks, such as chewy granola bars, dried fruit, mini bagels, nuts, and pretzels
• Maps and directions (try randmcnally.com for maps, directions, and traffic information)
• Money (cash, ATM cards, traveler’s checks)
• Printouts of reservations, if applicable
• Travel journal
• Travel pillow and blanket
• Travel-sized detergent