Now that summer is upon us (a bit TOO upon us…) it is time to, once again, re-assess our beach attire and achieve poolside perfection. Lying on a beach or lounging by a pool is meant to be synonymous with a natural look, so why is it that poolsides are starting to resemble runways? Nothing rattles my nerves more than seeing someone at a pool in full makeup and 5+ inch wedges. Let’s forget the fuss and plan a beach day-made easy!

Before we can even manage to look decent next to any body of water, a solid health and fitness routine is key. Kick-start your summer with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables and minimize carbs to the healthier kinds (yes, they do exist). It’s always better to consume carbs earlier in the day before you hit the gym or finish work and leave the night time for lighter options. I once heard that one must eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. It really helps flatten the stomach when you eat lighter at night, provided you haven’t ingested a Big Mac for lunch. Skimping on exercise might fly in the winter time, but now we really can’t afford to do that. Keep your cardio high and never cut out light weights in high repetitions because that’s what will really tone your arms and legs and burn more calories when you are resting. If the gym bores you, just try to switch it up with different classes and activities like swimming. As for the dreaded workplace lunches (“who wants pizza today?!”) there is a three word rule: Just.Say.No. This rule also applies to Frappuccino’s and Baking Tray cookies. My cubicle neighbor is notorious for tempting me with these.

Now that you’re being healthy and good to yourself, make a date with the Avenues. All of your beach necessities will be there _ from the ultimate bronzing lotions (Lancaster) to the perfect sun hat. After taking a trip to the enormous mall with my friend the other day, I noticed that H&M has a really great collection of beachwear this year. River Island also has some colorful ruffled styles that have been popular since last year. Don’t rule out any stores because you might be surprised; some of my favorite swimwear in terms of fit is actually from BCBG. Topshop has some great cover-ups and a place that you might not think of that much anymore, Debenhams, usually carries a nice swimwear collection. I remember going to the Debenhams at Souq Sharq last summer and finding some great one-pieces and sarongs there.

Every beach bunny needs a huge beach bag to throw her iPods, sunglasses, and lotions into. I saw some really funky ones at Aishti with bright colors and adorable illustrations. Canvas bags are also great because they will match all of your beachwear and stay clean! Protect your feet from the scorching sand with fab flip-flops. I love my Havanas the most, and Accessorize also has many different styles and colors to choose from.

Now that your clothing is set, don’t forget to take care in the sunshine. ALWAYS use SPF on your face and body (especially your face) to avoid looking like a leather bag later on in life. You should actually wear SPF every day because we basically live in an oven. Don’t think you won’t get a tan _ you will get a tan, the only things you won’t get are wrinkles! Keep your mane healthy by pampering your strands with almond or coconut oil to get a great conditioning treatment while you bake. Happy tanning!