Summer is short, so you want to make the most of it. Don’t stress about packing for your vacation--just follow my shopping suggestions, and you’ll have everything you need for this year’s trip in the sun:

Cost Plus' Paper Straw Shoulder Bags

BAG: A woven beach bag just screams warm-weather vacation. I love Cost Plus’s Paper Straw Shoulder Bag; it packs well and comes in classic or fun colors, for less than $20.

Oregon Scientific's MP121 Waterproof MP3 Player

TUNES: When traveling, I leave the Ipod at home and use Oregon Scientific’s MP121 MP3 Playerinstead. The player and headphones are waterproof, plus there’s a radio & pedometer for running. With this player, I can float on the water while listening to tunes, worry-free.

SHADES: Big sunglasses bad--they hide half your face! Smaller cat’s eye sunglasses, such as ones from

Daddyos' Cat's Eye Sunglasses in Black

Daddyos.com are a way to still look hip and retro, while allowing the sun’s rays to leave less-raccoon-ey tan lines.

SHOES: Espadrilles are THE sandals this summer.

Old Navy's White Espadrilles

Go for a flat heel for blister-free vacation dancing and strolling; low-cost Old Navy has a perfect pair in white.

SARONG: I cannot praise sarongs enough for travel: these are great swimsuit cover-ups, they’re tropically sexy-looking,

Sarong as skirt

and can double as a dress, skirt, towel, blanket, turban, scarf, blanket or shawl, all in one! If you can’t pick one up in Bali, try buying one online via Curious Designs Retail--they have a lot of traditional styles, as well as solid colors and offbeat designs.

THE PERFECT TAN: Variosun suntan lotion from Germany allows you to adjust your SPF. With one bottle, you can have sun protection ranging from 2 to 30 spf by just turning a dial.

Variosun Adjustable Suntan Lotion

KEEPING YOUR LIPS KISSABLE: After a post-sun lip blistering tragedy after wearing an oily lip gloss on a Greek beach once, I never go in the sun without SPF lip protection. If only I had had Bare Escentuals’ Junior Lip Guards SPF 15 Set: it’s got 6 travel-size colors, all with hydrating aloe vera and

Bare Escentuals' Junior Lip Guard SPF 15

shea butter, plus nourishing vitamins A, C, and E, and, of course, SPF 15--all for just $36.

HAIR-FREE WITH A PILL: With Travelon’s “Instant” Shaving Gel, just mix a pill with water, and you magically get enough shaving gel for any and all pre-beach hair touch-ups. Leave the can at home, and carry this in your bag through security lines, worry-free.

Travelon's Instant Shaving Gel

MINI TRAVEL BAR: What better way to make friends than to whip out your own bar, wherever you are?

Flight 001's Mini Travel Bar

Flight 001’s Travel Bar has 2 folding cups, 2 flasks, a corkscrew, ice tongs, and a stirrer, all stainless steel, all in a sleek leather case.

KLUTZ-PROOF CAMERA: Don’t stress about getting sand or water on your camera; use Olympus’ Stylus 770 SW Digital Camera. It’s waterproof, shockproof, and crushproof, AND has a Hypercrystal LCD… I don’t really know what that means, but I do know it allows me to see my pictures clearly in bright sunlight and even underwater. Perfect to capture, and share with, my newfound vacation chums!

Olympus' Waterproof, Crushproof Stylus 770 SW

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About the Author: A former Hollywood producer and now 2nd-generation travel professional, Susan Michelle travels the planet as the “face” of the fashion-forward Compass travel lifestyle brand. For more articles, tips, and hot spots from Susan, and community with fellow Cosmopolitan Travelers, visit http://www.CompassTravel.info. Or write her direct at Susan-Column@CompassTravel.info.

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