Summer has officially arrived. The sun is out with vengeance.

Every year at this time I face a massive dilemma… “to sun, or not so sun…”

I lather on the SPF 50+ (which makes me go a weird purple tinge).

I wrap my entire body in a towel when I lie on the beach (resembling a human ‘beach burrito’).

I go through tubes and tubes of ‘Fair & Lovely’ cream (google it…yes, it is a cream ‘apparently’ makes you lighter)

Nothing works.

I always get SO dark. Do not get me wrong…NOTHING is wrong with going darker..it is just that I personally, prefer to be a little lighter. I know…I bet you are thinking ; “It’s beautiful, I wish I could be that tanned”. I’m not complaining…ok, maybe I am. I just don’t like it.

Switch off the lights and you can only the whites of my eyes and my teeth.

Each time I go home my mum yells at me; “Yuck, you are looking dirrttyyy….how will you find a husband when you are so looking so dirty?”. No mum, it is not ‘dirt’ it is  just a tan (I am sure all you fellow sub-continental gals can relate).

BUT look at what I am dealing with (see pic below)….this happened on thursday morning after a mere 30 min swim at 6:30am….you can call me ‘backstrap’. Gross. Although, atleast I am rockin’ the sporty look. #fistspiration.

So, I have decided today that it is time to invest in a beach umbrella. There are some amazing umbrella’s out there. My favourite are actually from Australian company, Basil Bangs. Check out their range here –  a vibrant range made from high quality fabric and available in so many colours and patterns! They collaborate with various designers and artists to create bespoke umbrellas – I just love their aesthetic and philosophy underpinning their brand.

Check out some of these gorgeous umbrellas which I have come across in my ‘research’…

I will kick start with a Basil Bangs umbrella – such vibrant colours & patterns…