Beach Haven: Where To Go And What To Pack For a Weekend At The Beach

SUMMER.  I wait all year for the season of beach days and s’mores and bubbles and sand between your toes.  I don’t even mind the accompanying sweaty little heads and complaints of boredom because eventually sprinklers are turned on, popsicles are ready, fireflies come out, and summer works it’s magic on us all.

We just spent a glorious few days in Beach Haven – a picture perfect little town on Long Beach Island (LBI if you’re East Coast).  This was our second time in Beach Haven, but it won’t be our last.  It’s gorgeous – white sand beaches, clear water…yet is big enough to boast some seriously good restaurants, a nostalgic little amusement park, mini golf, and some of the best East Coast style pizza we’ve had.  So the three of us cruised on down for our final weekend alone before picking Raines up at camp (gosh, we missed him).

If you’re interested, keep reading for some of our Beach Haven favorites, as well as what I packed (it makes for one heck of a summer capsule wardrobe).

ROAD TRIP: Beach Haven

Windows down, music on.  Let’s do this thing.

Has anyone tried Bay Village Pizza?  It’s a walk-up right in the midst of tourist craziness, but is shockingly good.  You can get pizza by the slice or by the pie.  Nothing fancy, just good East Coast slices that you have to fold. (Either that or eat with a fork and knife, ha!  #sacrilege)

We get our morning fix at ECoffea’s organic coffee.  Mike is all about their 12 hour, cold-brewed iced coffee.  I stick to the warm stuff (and Pax likes their vegan, gluten-free peanut butter muffins – it’s that kind of place, hooray).

But the beach, you guys.

Pax is dunzo.

After a brief “rest period” (similar to the “non-existant nap”, I’m sure you’re familiar…), we headed to the Beach Haven Amusement Park.

We ended our night watching the sun go down over the bay.  It was pretty darn perfect.

One thing we learned about Beach Haven is that most restaurants stop serving food before 9, even on weekends.  We missed out on The Triton Craft Beer and Oyster House’s lobster roll and fresh oysters – darn!  Next time.  (Actually, their happy hour sounds amazing – next time we’ll hit happy hour and THEN watch the sun go down.)

Does anyone have lodging recommendations?  This road trip was so last minute that we booked a place with the only open room – The Spray Beach Inn.  And you know what?  We LOVED it.  It’s not fancy, but the ocean view rooms are right on the ocean, there’s a little balcony where you can sit with a beer and a pizza, and at night, we cranked the windows wide open and fell asleep to the sound of the pounding surf.  I slept like a baby.  (haha that’s a joke – everyone knows babies don’t actually sleep.)  Anyway, I slept in until 7AM, which is pretty amazing for me.

What I Wore

I’m thrilled with LOFT’s current summer offerings.  The unexpected watercolor palette feels really fresh and modern, the patterns aren’t too overwhelming (and they mix easily with stripes) – the whole thing is just so easy and beautiful.  LOVE.

The Pieces

Suit: LOFT Beach Sun Paisley Cut-Out Suit (size 2 for reference)

Striped Tank: Heather Striped Tank, size XS for reference – all kinds of drapey fabulousness

Shorts:  old, Rag and Bone

Striped Dress: LOFT Textured Stripe Swing Dress, c/o (XS petite, for reference) – the fabric on this dress is nice and thick, almost a terrycloth.  It ends up looking much fancier than it actually is.  I crazy-love this dress.

Gray Tank: LOFT Crew Neck Tank c/o (wearing an XS petite for reference) – fits exactly like the striped tank (not sure why I did a petite size here…almost no difference between the two)

Pants: LOFT Striped Linen Twill Pants c/o – wearing a size 0 for reference – these pants fit really big.  I love them as beach pants, or sexy date night (show a little bit of hipbone)…but if I wanted to wear pants like these to the office, size down.

White Shirt: LOFT Seersucker Swing Shirt c/o – size XS petite for reference

The Accessories

Sunglasses: LOFT Retro Sunglasses c/o

Bracelets: LOFT – can’t find them on the website – shoot!  They’re stretchy, wood bracelets that hide a hair tie, and are perfect for summer.  I’ll keep looking.  This one has a similar vibe.  (Tip:  I always buy two.)

Flat Sandals: LOFT Ankle Strap Sandals c/o – super soft leather, no footbed padding.  If you like how Saltwaters feel, you’ll like these. (I love ’em.)

Heeled Sandals: mine are Steve Madden, but LOFT makes a very similar pair. (Although, I’d probably go for the stacked heel sandals – SO cool.)

xo,

S

A huge thank-you to LOFT for sponsoring this post.  I’m always so thrilled to find pieces that are both pretty and comfortable, and this current line is both.   As always, all product choices, thoughts, and opinions are my own.  (Or as Pax would say, “MINE OWN”.)  And readers, thank you for supporting the retailers who help support The Mom Edit  – it doesn’t go unnoticed, and is so very much appreciated.