A Guest of a Guest Hamptons Beach Bag: Carson Unpacked

[Carson Griffith snapped at the Pink Elephant] Since each one of us here at the G of G crew is as different as the areas of the Hamptons, it's a given that the contents of our beach bags would be too. Sharing all our favorite beach necessities from bikinis to beverages by emptying out our beach bags for you would be the best way to let you get to know us a little better. So each week you can look forward to one of us filling you in on what we lug around with us when we're out in the Hamptons - besides our laptops, of course....

Organic, natural and eco-friendly, I love Kaija bags. Nice and roomy, it's a great choice for the beach, and the Cornelia bucket bag's handle adds something different. Their Montauk collection is great too - perfect clutches for nights out.

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I'm a big fan of stark white bathing suits, but my real love is crazy prints, especially Pucci and Missoni. Even though sometimes I look like walking graffiti, the neutral colors in this one are a bit calmer.

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Mink Pink makes great, affordable clothing. If bought one size too big, their Lovina shirt is just thigh-grazing enough to be considered a cover-up. It kind of has a hippy feel, but is still sophisticated with the intricate trimming.

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Havianas have been my go-to sandals for years, but their "Fit" style is an update to the original flip-flops of theirs I have in just about every color. On top of it, they stay on much better, and this metallic color is better than boring brown.

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Usually a wide brim kind of girl, I've been wearing these fedora like hats lately. The best ones are the kind you pick up on vacation - South America, the Caribbean, anywhere warm - and they're usually the cheapest to boot. But for $25, this version from Aldo won't set you back too much. And if you don't want your hair bleached out like a Playboy bunny, this will help to keep it under cover.

I've put my oversized Nicole Richie shades on the back-burner in exchange for these Prada wraps. A Christmas gift from the folks, they won't be going out of style anytime soon.

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If you have an attention span as short as mine, you need something to keep you entertained at the beach. I'm currently reading The Informers by Bret Easton Ellis (one of my all time favorites authors - Hello American Psycho!). And you'll never find me without at least one fashion magazine, my top choice being Vogue Italia.

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Acqua di Parma makes amazing stuff, and I'm obsessed with their Arancia di Capri fragrance (basically... oranges of Capri). I look a little like a freak from obsessively compulsively applying their lip balm, fragranced the same way, but as soon as you get your hands on the stuff, you'll realize my addiction. The best part is I don't have to worry about chapped lips. Ever.

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Especially good if you color your hair (you caught me, my hair isn't this blond naturally), but probably beneficial even if you don't, Kerastase Micro-Voile Protecteur keeps your hair from getting damaged in the sun, and provides UV protection to your whole head. An anti-frizz, anti-humidity formula is perfect for the upcoming hot days we can expect out here in the Hamptons.

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Ah, my secret weapon. How else do you think someone as fair as me turns a nice shade of bronze after one day in the sun? With that self-tanning crap they gave us in the Social Life gift bags? No. My mother's had me wearing this stuff since I was in diapers. So what if it's not FDA approved yet in the States and you can only buy it in Europe, Canada and online. Whether it's the SPF4, SPF15, dry oil, or the After Sun cream, I religiously use Piz Buin products and only Piz Buin. And so do all my friends. I've started a cult following with this stuff.

I'll never understand why people spend hundreds of dollars on designer beach towels. Sure, a lot of them are adorable. But when I go to the beach my towel gets covered in sand, salt water, and sunscreen. This cute $19.99 striped version from Target is good enough for me - and my mess.

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Less boring than plain water, still keeps you hydrated, and perfect when it's just too early in the day for a cocktail. No matter what kind of bag I'm carrying, as long as it's big enough to fit a Pellegrino, it probably has one in it.

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Right now I'm listening to:

She's Expensive, The Virgins Reasons To Sing, The Crash Boys, Boys, Boys, Lady GaGa Seaside, The Kooks Open Your Eyes, Snow Patrol

Want to know what the rest of the G of G crew keeps in their beach bags? We'll be filling you in as the summer goes on.

Check back next week to see what Kristin has in hers!