A perfectly planned beach bag is the key to a successful summer day. The walk from the villa down to the cove may be shaded by palm trees, or may take you past the pool, but the point is, in order to be prepared for anything you need the right accessories at your fingertips.  First choose a simple bag of washable light fabric, something flexible and large enough for all the essentials.  A good bag to travel with in general are those that you can fold up small or double as a carry-on bag full of lotion, books and sleepshades in first class.  (We talked about tips on strategic packing in a previous post here.)  Fill the bag with a pair of beautiful sunglasses, a great paraben free sunscreen with a high SPF, a non-plastic water reusable water bottle and your favorite big soft beach towel.  You can also toss in a neat little bikini bag if you're going to change out of your bathing suit before dinner and need somewhere to stow the wet suit without getting everything else in your bag soaked.

In order to cut down on carrying too much you can choose items that are easily adaptable such as a pareo and wear them to the beach.  A pareo is essentially a large lightweight wrap - but with an endless list of possible ways to wear it. You can wrap it around your waist for the walks along the boardwalk or you can toss it over your shoulders while enjoying the breezes on the yachts while island-hopping.  It can even be wrapped and twisted into a unique halter top.  A beach tunic or coverup is also great for the same reasons but the tunic will easily provide an evening option simply by adding your favorite capris, a tank top and some jewelry. Don't forget a light, wide-brimmed hat to protect your skin from too much sun.  Of course the blackberry or iPhone and headphones will need a spot in the bag - in the zipper pocket to protect it from sand. But keep in mind, this is your vacation so skip the work emails and only answer the ones with details about this afternoon's lawn party!  So here's hoping that a cool drink and ocean breezes are in your near future. If they are, be prepared to be cool - and stay cool.

Minnow Bikini Bag; Wide-brimmed braided floppy hat; Short solid butterfly beach dress; Indigo Chevron Ikat Beach Towel

The bag's already there - where are you??

The key to a great look for your warm weather vacation is in the simplicity and versatility.  Not only do you not want to travel with a huge wardrobe, but you don't want to wear a huge wardrobe when the tropical breezes are in the 90's.  Packing simple, lightweight cotton staples like a tailored pair of cropped khaki pants and crisp white blouses is the best start. Build a wardrobe from there that is easily adapted to where ever you are:  the cabana, the pool or the yacht.  A pareo is a great item to wrap around your waist poolside or wrap around your shoulders as the sun sets over the harbor.  The right beach tunic can be a coverup by day and paired with a a tank and jeans, a breezy chic top at night. Jenni from DailyWorkIt  shared with us some great vacation pictures featuring a few items from  Echo's beach collection and she shows how one simple accessory, like the lightweight infinity neckring, can be worn several different ways, and be that special statement piece too.  Thanks Jenni!

Purple is an amazing color. One can't help but be in awe of nature when appreciating the deep, spectacular hue of a ripe plum, a fresh blueberry or the bold sheen of an eggplant.  Lighter tones include the beautiful lavender and lilac - both named after flowering plants.  People who like the color of a deep purple are visionaries, spiritual and passionate.  Fans of lavender are romantic and imaginative.  So choosing one of the many hues of this complex color for your home, for your wardrobe, for your table can add a special and unique twist.

From our book COLOR AT HOME: "From the palest lavender to the deepest black plum, purple is a revelation - creative, artistic. Purple is a bit more eccentric and complex than its closest relatives, fuchsia and indigo.  Throughout history, purple has been associated with royalty; today, purple in the home is still rare and refined.  Even if taking the plunge into purple demands a bit of bravery, the color creates a fabulous first - and lasting - impression.  Deep violets and plums work the same wonders for precious textiles, artwork, and the polished patina of antiques as they do for the stark drama of modern furnishings.  Not strictly for grown-ups, purple in a young girl's room feels special, unique.  Delicate lilac paired with white lace is quaint, nostalgic. Purple shutters, from grape to eggplant, are a delightful surprise, as is the jolt of a rich, Prince-purple formal living room.  Purple is always unexpected but undeniably welcome. Vivid and full of character, purple reigns."

Lavender is not only a remarkable, naturally occuring color in nature but the plant itself provides many numerous benefits.  The flowers can be dried and steeped in hot water for a calming, soothing tea.  The buds have been used for centuries to make perfumes and essential oils. Lavender also has medicinal qualities - it is naturally antiseptic and can be used to clean and soothe cuts, burns, abrasions and even dandruff.  Lavender can be used in cooking adding a wonderfully light flavor to many things from sugar cookies, to lamb to jams and jellies.

 Solid neckerchief with satin border; Painterly floral square; Color at Home- Purple

While on a recent whirlwind trip to Paris (whirlwind = last minute, 3 day weekend) I learned the value of packing strategically.  I had no time for baggage claim nor the desire to waste energy on carrying serious luggage around the city.  Only a carry-on bag and a handbag would do. So first order of business was to find a compact carry-on and a handbag large enough for all the necessities.  I have a small rolling half suitcase with a retractable handle so that was perfect as an overnighter (or overseas-er) then I grabbed a large, neutral beach bag - they're the perfect size and squishable and very durable - for the immediate items.    I packed a dress that doesn't wrinkle and decided knee high, flat boots were the way to go.  I had to consider how I could repurpose items I wore on the plane into other outfits later in the trip - so layering was the best approach.   The key to looking fresh after 7 hours sitting up in a small seat, overnight, is all cosmetic.  A small pouch of facial cleansing wipes, deodorant and toothbrush works for me. Also, there might be some value to all those shots of celebrities at airports: did you ever notice that most are wearing a hat and / or a scarf? Definitely sunglasses - that's a given. But the scarf and hat really do more than just merely point out that 'hey I'm a celebrity hiding under here.'  They hide airplane-seat head. And bloodshot eyes.  My ultimate travel item was a scarf. I worked it into every outfit.   I draped it around my neck during the flight to ward off the cool drafts.  When I landed, I stopped in at Charles DeGaulles' beautiful bathrooms (why has the U.S. not figured this out?)  and by simply flattening and folding the scarf lengthwise several times, I wrapped my hair up in a headband and voila! a new look!  The third look came later that evening. I refreshed my look by putting my hair up in a strategically messy chignon, wrapping the scarf around like a headband, leaving a bow tied in the back.  We ate chocolate and hazelnut crepes in a plaza in old Tours. I loved that I could blend in with the locals.  I tried this look also in Rome and Florence.  I must have sufficienctly blended in there too - enough where people asked me for directions- in Italian!  Voila!  3 different looks - one scarf and one small strategically packed handbag.

Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel has become an expert on packing the perfect travel wardrobe.  Among the things she recommends is picking one color for your wardrobe such as a neutral and adding color with a scarf or a belt.  She also recommends bringing a sweater and a book everywhere you go.  I like wearing a wrap - since they are larger, they can be casual or elegant depending on your situation.  Sarah, one of the designers at Echo, says to choose a dress or other items made of jersey because it won't wrinkle and she likes to bring a few, favorite chunky necklaces as easy statement pieces for her travel wardrobe.  In the video below, Samantha's stylist,Cristina, talks about fashion tips from Paris and what makes all those women so beautiful.  One point she makes is the prevalent use of the right accessories - one of them being a scarf.  And shoes.  She said French women walk a lot but they wear heels. And that the French can spot American tourists by their sneakers. I think that's a overgeneralization. Has she seen us fashionable American ladies lately? She must be thinking of that horrible '80s trend - the Reeboks with the skirt suit. But not anymore. The right espadrille or strappy sandal can be quite comfortable and fashionable. They'd better look again, because that beautiful lady strolling by the river Seine might just be an American! An American who knows how to pack a bag for a great trip to Paris!