My River Essentials

Sayanora y'all!  By the time you're reading this post, I'll probably be in the car w/ my IRL BFF Liz and her hubs driving 4 hours south of Dallas to New Braunfels to float the Comal River for Memorial Day weekend.

I used to HATE the river because I had a traumatic experience as a youngster when I thought I was drowning.  I wasn't actually drowning, but I panicked and it was truly horrifying.  Not to mention the river really is kind of a grimy body of water.

As an adult, I've been forced to get over my fear and have floated the river at least once a year since.  This weekend marks first my trip of the season, so I thought I would share my "river essentials" for having a successful float. 

1. SUNSCREEN.  The only safe tan is a fake tan, and I'm a huge proponent for safe sun.  A few years ago a co-worker legitimately asked me one day when I was wearing a dress if I had white panty hose on.  You guessed it, I wasn't wearing hose.  I'm not sure if I should be more offended that she asked that question or the fact that she thought I would even own white hose in the first place.  FML.

So, as you can I imagine, I literally cannot be in the sun for more than a few minutes without starting to burn.  And I'd much rather be a sunscreen natzi then end up wrinkly or dead.  My sunscreen picks:

Face

Very lightweight and non-greasy feel for your face.  [BUY]

Body:

Equate Sport Continuous Spray Sun Screen - found at Wal-Mart

2. A HAT.  Necessary to shield your face and head from the sun.  A few days ago I picked up this floppy hat from Target for $12.99.  Love!

3.   AN OLD OR CHEAP SWIMSUIT.  River water, as I already mentioned, is grimy.  It could stain your suit so I always wear an old or cheap swimsuit I wouldn't mind getting ruined. 

I suggest no light color suits unless you want to risk getting brown stains all over it.  The last thing I need is to get out of the river and have it look like I pooped myself.  And yes, their bodies are so gross, I don't know who these skanks think they are wearing bikinis.

4. OLD TENNIS SHOES.  Unfortunately, you can't wear flip-flops on the river because your feet need protection from the rocky and slippery river bottom.  I feel like a complete frump wearing tennis shoes and a bikini (trust me, not a good look), but I refuse to wear "water shoes" or even worse, those DISGUSTING toe shoes. 

If you have ever even thought about wearing these hideous things, we are no longer friends.  I was embarrassed even Googling this image:

UNACCEPTABLE!

5. A COVER-UP.  I'll be wearing this Merona Cover-up in black from Target.  I got it a few summers ago, so if I happen to lose it, it will just give me an excuse to go shopping for a new one.

6. CHEAP SUNGLASSES.  My favorite places to buy cheap sunglasses is from the sunglasses table in the B.P. section at Nordstrom (y'all know the one I'm talking about? They're all like $10?) or at Charming Charlies.

7.  Last but not least, BEER. The whole point of floating the river is to lay back, relax in your tube and enjoy a few ice cold brewskis.  My beer of choice is Miller Lite in case any of you want to overnight me a Memorial Day present.

 I hope every one has a great and safe Memorial Day weekend!  I'll catch ya on the flip side.

p.s. Don't forget Monday I'm continuing my "Home Tour".  If you want to link-up, you get to show off your bedroom!