Let me preface today’s post by writing a few things first.
One, I probably will never be a lifestyle blogger. I mentioned this when I wrote, In the Bag, a post about some of the travel clothes and carry on items I brought along on a trip to Europe with my husband. I just think it’s fun to share our discoveries along the way with each other, whether that is a clothing item, a fun bag, or even a nail polish color. I don’t have sisters so I rely on my cousins and my friends for advice and counsel, beauty tips and secrets to their many successes. It’s what makes my world go around and I like to share whatever tidbits I discover as well. I can’t trust someone who doesn’t share!!! And even though I write a food blog, I like to talk about other things with this platform from time to time.
Second, I was that girl who when I was young (like many of you perhaps) used to absolutely love the sun. Baby oil and Coppertone were what my friends and I used to get a tan (ugh). I regret to say that I went to tanning booths on occasion, and I was a swimming and lifesaving instructor at my summer camp, meaning long days on the docks with less than optimal sun protection. I got lots and lots of freckles on my face which at the time we thought were kind of cute. Little did any of us know the damage we were doing to our skin!
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In the past decade or so, I have really attempted to protect myself from the sun when I am playing sports which I really don’t want to give up! And, I have meaningfully cut back the amount of time I spend in the direct sun by a pool or at the beach if I am on vacation unless I am wearing a lot of protection or protective clothing. My twice annual appointments with the dermatologist help keep me motivated. Nothing like side eye from her if she detects a tan!
My husband and I were just away for a few glorious days in Bermuda with some friends. We played a lot of golf so I tried my best to stay on top of the sunscreen. Thankfully, we were riding in carts so we were somewhat protected in between (lousy) shots.
When we ventured to the beach and went out for a boat ride, however, I put on some new items I recently purchased online. Since the sun is really starting to shine and summer will be here soon, I thought it would be great to share what I am wearing with you all in case you are also seeking more ways to protect your skin.
For a number of years, I have been wearing Athleta’s UPF shirts when playing golf and tennis with good results. Despite the fact that they are form fitted, they are not hot at all, even the long sleeved style. In fact, I may just purchase a few more neutral colors for this coming summer. I wouldn’t really recommend wearing these tops by the pool, however…
I wanted to purchase a few new items that I could wear more casually, especially if I go for walks on the beach or occasionally sit by a pool with my family or friends. My friend, Kris who you met here recommended the site Mott 50 as a resource for UPF clothing. As soon as the site loaded, I knew it was going to be a great fit. It was hard not to buy everything! I decided on 3 items as a start and have been very happy with the fit and comfort of the materials. Here are pictures of my selections.
The cover up, made from bamboo and spandex, is super soft and UPF 50. A large hood provides good face protection if you want and I really like the cover up’s length because it covers your butt and some of your thigh. I did notice a pin sized hole in my hood after a second washing but think that might have been my fault – not sure. I love it anyway because it is incredibly comfortable. It comes in a few different patterns in addition to the stripe.
Next up, I purchased the Sonja Swim Dress…
I just wore this for the first time on our trip and am in love with it. You can wear it as a dress, or you can ruche it up and wear it as a top. Super soft and lightweight, the dress is made from swim material and will dry quickly if you get it wet. It’s one of the site’s best sellers and comes in lots of fun colors and prints.
Lastly, I really wanted to find a pair of pants with UPF protection. I settled on the Barbara Beach Pant that is only available in Navy. I have worn these a couple of times now and they are super lightweight and perfect for the hottest days! It has a drawstring and two nicely sized pockets…
I found the Mott 50 clothing to run true to size.
This top looks great for golf because it also has a collar. And maybe this top if you are a runner?
As for sunscreens, I have experimented with lots of different products, once finding myself literally scrubbing my arms and legs red trying to get it off! This product from Alba has worked well for me, although you do have to be comfortable with your skin being a little white from its thick consistency! Alba brand was recommended to me by my friend, Bredt because they are a clean product, free from parabens, aluminum and oxybenzone (among lots of other toxic ingredients).
Here are a couple more articles I found online about clean sunscreen products if you are interested…
What do you do to protect yourself from the sun? Do you have a favorite source for UPF clothing or a favorite brand of sunscreen? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
I will leave you with one image from our time away…
See you next week!
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