I love the ideas and products you present on this site, keep them coming!

This is a phenomenal stash of items! - If anyone is not beach ready after trying these out, I don't know what else can help them.

As for me, I don't get to go to a beach as often as I would like, but I think that a pedicure and using a body scrub and some fabulous smelling & glossy-skin providing body butter is pretty baseline mandatory for me. A wax (and 1 day I still have in mind to try your recommended laser hair removal place) gives a confidence boost too.

To be honest, getting PHYSICALLY ready for the beach is the most challenging for me, I packed on a few extra pounds with school and I have been exercising 4 times a week for the past 2 months, to hopefully see the results I want by the end of may =) So getting physically ready will make me look forward to this summer rather than hiding out. thanks!

I get beach ready by using self tanner, shaving, buying and wearing waterproof makeup, and working out to get a beach body!

There's many ways I get beach ready. I go to the gym 2 times a week but as soon as March comes around I start going 3 times a week & run once a week. I double up on my water intake. I looove me some water! LOL! I start using body scrubs to make sure my skin is silky smooth & shave more. Yes, I am one of those people that's a wolf in the winter. TMI? LOL! But most importantly I use my SPF. We should always protect our skin from the sun. Thanks for a great giveaway & good luck everyone!

I think it is a look and a state of mind. When i go to the beach it is all about having fun and living it up by having the best time that I can while relaxing and thinking about nothing. But going on the beach I love wearing something flowy. I love getting dressed with a cute miniskirt and tank or a short flowy dress. Some flip flops and a cute big beach bag full of lotion, snacks and water.

I get ready by putting on some sunless tanner (MUST avoid sun damage) and pick up a new bikini! then my friends and I head out to relax and enjoy the beach and summer! (While wearing some spf 25 sunscreen! We don't want to get all wrinkled looking! Lol!)

Getting ready for Beach weather is always a fun thing. Sometimes I enjoy buying a new swimsuit or getting new SPF. Aveeno is what I am using this summer! Staying in shape is usually a year round thing for me, but in the summer time I tend to avoid any carbonated drinks and replace it with plenty of water.
In my tote bag I always have these items:
Book
Music
SPF Spray
Towel
Water
Fruit
Towels
Frisbee

I am always wanted to be prepared for the beach so a big tote bag is perfect.

i checked out your guide and it is fab! i wish i had all those lovely pieces to put together such a trendy look!

to get beach ready, i pick a bikini and work from there. my favorite is a red two-piece i got on sale from victoria's secret last year. i grab a flowy beach cover up and a big floppy hat as well. i also layer on the sun block before i head out: tans are great but skin cancer is a big no-no. sometimes i love to wear summery bangles and oversized sunglasses, but i'm always afraid they'll get all scratched up in the sand, so sometimes they stay safely tucked inside my big slouchy tote (one with leather that i won't mind getting a bit roughed up either). i always try to feel fashionable but also comfortable.

as for my beach state of mind, it's one of utter relaxation. i always tell myself that it isn't the time to think of this and that and all the other things that worry me back when i'm at home. i like to stare up at the bright blue sky, listen to the soft murmur of the waves, and dig my toes into the warm sand. i unwind like no place else. this is why i live for the summer!

thanks for this giveaway and a bigger thanks to your sponsors! i am loving this site. remember everyone, life's a beach xx

i checked out your guide and it is fab! i wish i had all those lovely pieces to put together such a trendy look!

to get beach ready, i pick a bikini and work from there. my favorite is a red two-piece i got on sale from victoria's secret last year. i grab a flowy beach cover up and a big floppy hat as well. i also layer on the sun block before i head out: tans are great but skin cancer is a big no-no. sometimes i love to wear summery bangles and oversized sunglasses, but i'm always afraid they'll get all scratched up in the sand, so sometimes they stay safely tucked inside my big slouchy tote (one with leather that i won't mind getting a bit roughed up either). i always try to feel fashionable but also comfortable.

as for my beach state of mind, it's one of utter relaxation. i always tell myself that it isn't the time to think of this and that and all the other things that worry me back when i'm at home. i like to stare up at the bright blue sky, listen to the soft murmur of the waves, and dig my toes into the warm sand. i unwind like no place else. this is why i live for the summer!

thanks for this giveaway and a bigger thanks to your sponsors! i am loving this site. remember everyone, life's a beach xx

Wowowow...these totes look great, and would surely get me in a beachy frame of mind! Of course you need to be prepared physically to bare it all...or at least most of it! Waxing, moisturizing, fake tanning, SPFing...all essential. But the real secret to getting ready for the beach, in my opinion, is MUSIC!! A summer playlist is necessary...I make one every summer! Start with some classic summer cruisin' songs, throw in whatever current tunes are destined to be staples for the next three months, add a few guilty pleasures that bring back sunny memories and you've got yourself the perfect 'Take Me To the Beach' playlist! Add it to your iPod, toss it in your properly stocked beach tote and off you go!

Thanks...reminds me that I need to get my 2010 Summer Playlist cookin'! Summer's a-comin'!

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Keep the comments coming! You see that we have had some people comment so they are in the running for the amazing goodie bags as we have 4 to give away but you still have time! We will announce our winners on May 21st in the afternoon so that you guys have your bags by Memorial Weekend!

I get beach ready by exfoliating, self tanning, exercising, and getting a cute new bathing suit to wear!
savethemasses@hotmail.com

Getting beach ready involves purchasing loads of sunscreen and protective gear. I try to always wear a sun hat and cover up when I can. I have very pale skin (think amy adams) and do my best to keep it well protected from the sun.

I start to get ready for the beach by checking my diet, cutting out the junk, exfolliating, self tanner and regular pedicures! And a sassy new haircut.

I get ready for the beach season by checking my diet, exfolliating, self tanner, regular pedicures, and a sassy new haircut. A new bathing suit and coverup are also on my list. With a great pair of beach safe sandals.

At the first sign of summer i get a pedicure with a fun colour of nail polish:)

AWESOME PRODUCTS LOVE IT!

Looks fab so bright and colourful products been following you for a while on twitter and love the stuff you do .......

i get beach ready by buying a great swimsuit that flatters my figure and i make sure that my beach bag is ready and packed to go at a minutes notice! i stuff it with a towel, sunscreen, a comb, hair band, flip flops and a good book or magazine. thanks! clallen at ntin dot net

Running and swimming keep me beach ready but the beach is all about relaxing. Grab a book, some Ultra Sheer Sunblock SPF 70 (hey I live in Seattle) and charge the iPod then call some friends and enjoy.

Getting Beach ready is making sure we have a bag filled with towels and suntan lotion and some toys for the kids. We all have bathingsuits under clothes and bring some sweaters in case of weather change or just because sometimes playing in the water can cool you down. Just to enjoy the sun and have some fun all together.

Canada here if allowed to enter.

Thanks for a great giveaway

I pack a bag with must-haves for the beach: blanket, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks and a couple of magazines that I call "brain candy" (People or US Weekly) - all stuffed in an awesome beach bag!

It depends to which beach I'm headed. In the Northwest, the beach is generally cold & wet so I prepare by packing hooded sweatshirts, waterproof shoes & a rain jacket. If I'm headed to a warm beach I make sure I have a tote packed with a towel, sunscreen, snacks, drinking water, beach sandals, a change of clothes, camera and of course I make sure my legs are shaved!

I was literally born a beach baby!! My birthday being August 14th I have always been a fun-in-the-sun beach baby kind of girl. I live for the summer and have to have all of the essentials of course with me to make sure my FULL DAY at the beach I am ready and game for anything!!

Typically I begin getting beach (bikini) worthy and ready early in the spring or end of winter. Trying to watch what I eat and just get a healthier body and even lose a few of those extra pounds I may have packed on during our cold Northern Michigan winters;) Next I start looking for my #1 item. That cute little bikini that fits perfectly and of course a fresh new pair of fun flip flops & maybe even a new pair of sunglasses to go with it;) Next I access all of last years left over sunscreens, beach towels & blankets etc. to see what needs to be replaced or updated and watch for the best bargains in the sale fliers coming out with all the new, fun and trendy beachy items. Then I keep all of these items packed and ready in a nice large beach tote and by my bedroom door ready and waiting for the first of many great days of fun out in the sun at my favorite neighborhood beach! I can't wait!!!!

P.S.. I am also known as @ciesla504 on twitter

I was literally born a beach baby!! My birthday being August 14th I have always been a fun-in-the-sun beach baby kind of girl. I live for the summer and have to have all of the essentials of course with me to make sure my FULL DAY at the beach I am ready and game for anything!!

Typically I begin getting beach (bikini) worthy and ready early in the spring or end of winter. Trying to watch what I eat and just get a healthier body and even lose a few of those extra pounds I may have packed on during our cold Northern Michigan winters;) Next I start looking for my #1 item. That cute little bikini that fits perfectly and of course a fresh new pair of fun flip flops & maybe even a new pair of sunglasses to go with it;) Next I access all of last years left over sunscreens, beach towels & blankets etc. to see what needs to be replaced or updated and watch for the best bargains in the sale fliers coming out with all the new, fun and trendy beachy items. Then I keep all of these items packed and ready in a nice large beach tote and by my bedroom door ready and waiting for the first of many great days of fun out in the sun at my favorite neighborhood beach! I can't wait!!!!

It's all about sunscreen for me - a frequent burner (I used to brag to my friends when i was young that every year my nose would start peeling from all the frequent sunburns - eek!) I make sure myself and all my friends are lathered in the white stuff. For me, that smell really starts making me feel like it's summer, and from there it's a quick plop of my latest book (Steig Larsson series anyone??), ipod, towel and a jug of water into the infamous canvas bag. Living in San Diego, the place with eternal sunshine, it's pretty easy to remain in beach mode year round and I must admit that most days by hair has got that wafty look about it because I'm still trying to make the "beachy hair" look be stylish every month of the year.

I get beach ready by making sure I pump up my workout routine to look great in a swimsuit and sleeveless dresses and tops, I also make sure my feet look pretty in sandals by giving myself a weekly pedicure

I do a few things to get myself beach ready for Summer!

-Stock up on Sunscreen - SPF 40+ is the way to avoid pre-mature wrinkles for me!
-Self-tanner is this girl's best friend -- it gives me a nice bronze color which makes me look leaner!
-Let my hair go naturally curly/wavy instead of fighting the inevitable sandy beach hair.
-Paint my nails and toenails a really bright, obnoxious, I-can-only-pull-this-look-off-in-the-Summer color.
-Buy a few chick lit books for light beach reading!

To get prepared for the beach I pack up my #1 accessory... my friends! I'm naturally "tan" so I don't need to go lay out in the sun. The beach is 100% for fun.. and whats more fun than being there with your friends? Pretty much nothing Of course, a cute bathing suit and bag doesn't hurt either ; ).

AT BEACH PREP BOOT CAMP we spend time each day in the four dimensions of life:
Physically - getting beach ready means stepping up the running schedule and taking advantage of all those Farmer's Market fresh fruits and veggies!
Mentally - we cruise the bookstores for escapist fiction balanced by something to read that will send us on a mental growth spurt! We're talking Pam Houston's Cowboys are My Weakness and anything by Joseph Campbell.
Emotionally - the beach is a place where we adults remember how to play so for us it's off to the toy section for water guns, bubble kits and bubble gum!For those who like adult beverages - how about a little Lemoncello?
Spiritually - the beach is a good place to kickstart that indispensable habit of writing a daily gratitude list. Best done each morning alone listening to the surf as the sun rises.
Enjoy!

I get ready by getting in shape a few months before and buying a new bathing suit of course.

It doesn't take much for me to get ready to go...with the proper motivation (which a trip to the coast is), I can do anything.

Dee32485, you're the first winner of our Tote Bags - we have 3 more winners which will be announced soon!

Congrats Surving Green, Dee32485, Kimberly C and Megan M for being the winners of the tote bags! Our Hamptons Summer Tote Bag Giveaway is done BUT we will continue to have fun items throughout the summer so keep looking out for it!

Kimmie, thank you very much!! Really appreciate all these goodies, you just made my summer =) can't wait!