One of my sisters and I leave for vacation next week. We’re hopping in the SUV and traveling out west. My friends tease that we’re Thelma and Louise and we have to dress up like them before we leave and take a selfie. I think this was the original selfie – about 23 years before the word became a household saying. Anyway, we’re keeping it casual, simple and full of spur of the moment stops. We have a couple things planned – like hiking in Glacier National Park and if the waters are safe enough maybe even some white water rafting. Because I haven’t been on vacation longer than most people should wait to take a vacation, I’m carefully planning what I will bring and here are my essentials for this casual mountain road trip.

A striped Rash Guard. I take my sun protection seriously since having pre-melanoma twice. If we’re going white water rafting it’s an easy way to be protected. I like this simple, classic navy and white strip and it’s from Land’s End believe it or not!

A backpack from Baggu. I’ve had a Baggu tote for years that I take to the grocery story with me, so I know they’re dependable. I want to take a backpack instead of an expensive handbag that might get roughed up etc. And the backpack will not only hold my essentials, my camera when hiking in the mountains.

I love my Superga sneakers. Not only are they a cute, casual style, they also offer amazing foot support, perfect for people with low or no arches like me. They come in a great number of colors (I have white) and while the website said to consider ordering 1/2 size bigger, I didn’t and they fit me perfectly (no socks).

This athletic skirt by Lucy is a perfect solution for comfort and looking a little bit more polished than say hiking capris.  Throw on a cute t-shirt for a casual dinner somewhere or over a swimsuit as a cover up.

Do you like aviators but the typical tear-drop shape doesn’t work for your face? I have that problem, until I found these Kate Spade Avaline aviators. They have a softer tear-drop shape so they work better with several face shapes.  Now I can be Top Gun cool, too.

A touch of makeup is all I’ll be bringing and these new NUDESTIX are fabulous! Super creamy and take up hardly any space. Use them on the lips and/or cheeks. They also have fabulous eye shadow sticks.  The lip/cheek shades Mystic and Blush are perfect for that no-makeup polished look.

Yep, I take my sun protection seriously. How perfect are these Neutrogena sunscreen sticks for grown ups. Sprays may get everywhere, and you may not want to get your hands all sticky, so these sunscreen sticks are the bomb.  Swipe and enjoy the outdoors.

I inevitably miss a spot or two when applying sunscreen and tend to burn easily in those spots – you know the ones – near your armpits, tips of your ears that spot by your toes – well you get the picture.  Bobbi Brown Extra Face Oil is my skin life saver for many things.  This stuff works like magic – dry skin (which I’m sure I’ll get with high altitude), zits, sunburn and more. I don’t just use it on my face either. A little goes a long way and I’ve used this for years for many things. It should go in that skin care hall of fame as one of the most multi-purpose amazing skin care products.

I feel lost without a watch. Yes, I know my iPhone can tell me the time, but I love, love, love watches. I like this simple Timex, yes TIMEX! watch because it’s sporty, stylish and oh, if it gets ruined in some way it won’t break the bank and I won’t feel guilty.

What are some of your summertime essentials?

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