The Ultimate Self-Indulgent Beach Visit

If you want to have an incredibly indulgent and luxurious day at the beach, you can't just grab the nearest beach towel and sunscreen. You have to plan if you expect to have a first-class experience. Your total comfort will not be guaranteed and you will not feel the rejuvenating effects of a well-deserved day of pampering unless you come prepared.

This doesn't mean that you have to spend weeks planning your trip to the beach; it simply means that you need to take a little time and go shopping for the ultimate beach gear. You have to have the right equipment, gadgets, and accessories if you want to have a truly hedonistic beach visit.

But don't worry about trying to figure out exactly what you should bring-I've done all the work for you. All you need to do is find a babysitter for the kids, if you have any (it is impossible to be self-indulgent and absorbed in your own pleasure if you have to take care of your kids). For most people, though, the perfect day at the beach would include their spouse or significant other. Why? Well, beaches can be incredibly romantic, for one thing. Also, it can be fun to share a wonderfully lavish experience with a loved one. So in my recommendations for items to purchase, I will be keeping that in mind.

Now, what exactly do you need to bring for your ultimate day of beach luxury? Here is what I would suggest:

Surfside ReclinerBeach Chair $140 each
This is probably the most comfortable beach chair you will ever find, so it is an obvious choice for the perfect beach day. The fabric on this chair is a marine-grade canvas called Sunbrella, and it is ultra-durable while at the same time being incredibly comfortable and easy to clean. You can choose one of five different fabric shades (Atlantic Blue, Bay Blue, Oyster, Sea Pine, and Sunset Red), all of which are guaranteed not to fade. The frame of this chair is made of wood and is designed with five recline positions and a cup holder in the arm of the chair. This chair is well-cushioned, too--there are extra straps under the seat and behind the back to provide support, and the seat and headrest bars have extra padding.
http://www.capecodbeachchair.com/index.cfm

SunscreeningBeach Umbrella$15.95
It can get pretty hot in the sun, so having a beach umbrella is definitely a must. This one is better than most because it also has the protection of SPF 50! Of course, you should still use sunscreen, but it doesn't hurt to have additional protection from the umbrella. This umbrella is made of polyester and is six feet in diameter, so it is plenty big enough to provide shade for you and your loved one.
http://www.beachstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=993

Now that you have someplace to sit and relax, what comes next? Well, I suggest that you arrive at the beach early enough to catch the sunrise--or, at very least, arrive early enough to secure a choice spot on the beach before other beachgoers arrive. When you get to the beach and get settled, take this out:

Vienna Coffee & Tea Tote for 2 $31.25
This is the perfect set to bring to the beach so that you and your spouse can indulge in your morning coffee or tea! It is quite elegant and comes with everything necessary to enjoy your beverage. The case is black canvas with leather trim and brass accents, and it holds a 24oz stainless steel carafe, two stainless steel insulated mugs, a stainless steel spill-proof creamer and much more. Can't you just imagine stretching out in your comfortable chair, sipping coffee out of your stainless steel mug from your beautiful set? Don't forget to bring along your favorite pastries!
http://www.cherrylanecollection.com/weddingCoffeeSets0.html

After you relax over your morning repast, you may decide to take a stroll along the waves--or maybe even a refreshing swim in the ocean. So, you are going to need a really soft, big beach towel to wrap up in, right? Here's a great choice:

Oversize 100% EgyptianCottonBeach Towels $16.99 each
The beach towels on this site are all made in Egypt, and they all have that velour feel that you can only get from 100% Egyptian cotton. The towels measure 40 inches x 70 inches, so they are plenty big. There are many designs available, including various sun and flower patterns as well as dolphins, stripes, and a zebra pattern.
http://www.softlinens.com/beach-towels.html

Of course you must have a tote to bring along with you for your beach visit--you need something in which to carry your pampering goodies and gadgets. Here is my favorite beach tote:

Emilio Pucci Lava Print Large Terry Beach Tote $409.00
Alright, so this tote is rather expensive. But we are trying for a day of luxury, are we not? And besides, we saved money by getting those amazing towels so cheaply. This tote is worth the price anyway. It is extremely well-made, so it will last for a very long time. Plus, it has leather trim and leather lining, which means it will be easy to keep clean. The bag is pretty large, too, so it will hold all of your beach essentials. It is even cute enough that you could carry it as a regular purse, too.
http://www.eluxury.com/sales/product_detail.jhtml?styleid=11305256&SectionID=

Now, what exactly is in that tote? What types of things do you put in there for pampering? Well, that is really a matter of personal taste. Some people may find it to be wonderfully self-indulgent simply to be able to spend a day at the beach without the kids. Others may want to bring along an MP3 player, handheld video game system, or a good novel. Or, since you likely have your spouse or significant other with you, it might be a great deal of fun to bring along a deck of cards.

How are any of those items luxurious or hedonistic? It is simple. If you are enjoying yourself, if you are extremely comfortable (which you will be if you purchase the above items), and if you are happy with your company, you will have a very pleasurable day. Isn't the goal behind planning a day like this to leave the worries behind and come home refreshed and rejuvenated? Trust me--you will. And if you are having a very pleasurable day, feeling pampered and refreshed, isn't that the ultimate, luxurious beach visit?