hee--and i have "city vacation" on the brain because i am leaving for NYC/Boston tomorrow.
OK, for a beach vacation, these are my staples (plus the le sportsac, because that is a staple for all trips):
bathing suits, obviously--i like to have at least one that has larger bottoms that cover my butt, in case i go on a boat or do something active one day--i won't feel overexposed
shoes that can go in the water (water sneakers, those plastic clog things, whatever)
spray sunscreen
big hat and one baseball hat
flip flops, obviously
one sundress that can be worn out to dinner
large (gallon size) ziploc bags--can put sunscreen or wet bathing suits or shoes in them, very versatile
I really wish I had a full length mirror because this trip I did a really good job for my Puerto Rico trip. However, I think my bf would argue I packed too many sarongs. But it was one of the first time I didn't have to sit on the suitcase to close it.
The most important thing for me when I travel is to have a foldable or rollable, lightweight tote that I can pack with me to hold all the extra things I accumulate along my journey.
Also I wanted to add that Drew's thread had excellent pointers. I always put everything up for re-evaluation. This trip I packed a week in advance and started taking things I didn't out and putting things I needed in. I could probably still say my makeup bag is still out of control, but I love brining alot of samples of soaps and lotions on trips to test!
Thanks chicas! Such great advice! Oh and muchas gracias for the dinner rec sunshinegirl. I'll have to add that to a repeat trip to Blue Heaven for breakfast :) I'm getting all fluttery thinkin' about it!! Can't wait!!