Chasing the Sun


As I mentioned earlier this week, I had a few ideas in mind earlier this month about what I wanted to write about for the first few months of January. One of those ideas was to touch on sun holidays that so many of us Canucks tend to take in the winter time. See, I’m very much a fan of buying someone related to some other happening in their life outside of their wish list or whatever occasion you’re celebrating. Have a loved one’s birthday on the horizon? Instead of another sweater, why not get them a travel guide for that backpacking trip they’re taking this summer? And with Valentine’s Day on the horizon, plus the regular mix of anniversaries, thank yous and birthdays, I thought it’d be fun to highlight a few great gift ideas for people going on a sunny vacation this year.

Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag Kate Spade

Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag – $278 USD @ Kate Spade
Every girl needs a good tote bag in her arsenal for sunny days at the beach. While this is certainly a spendy option, keep in mind it can also accompany you to dinners at the resort’s restaurant or as a handy carry-all for visits into town. Made from coated slub cotton, this stylish tote bag has a certain French-inspired ‘je ne sais quoi’ that looks perfect no matter whether you’re hitting the Mayan or the French Riviera.

Indigo Beach Prints

Beach Prints – $35 @ Indigo
One of my fave go-to sources for artwork these days is, surprisingly, Indigo. They carefully curate sensational prints that range from witty to slick to eye-popping to simply pretty. They’ve recently launched a lineup of beautiful beach scenes that will help you channel those warm sandy memories well after you’ve landed back on Canadian soil. Rendered in pastel and juicy tropical hues, the prints range from Mediterranean resort to pin-up worthy gals showing off their retro bathing suits. It’s a great one-two punch of a gift for someone who’s redecorating and going somewhere awesome!

Zero UV Sunglasses

 

zeroUV Sunglasses – from $9.99 USD
Confession: I’m so not a pricey sunglasses person. While I admire some of the design features, in general I just look for some basic UV protection and call it a day. I’m too prone to break or lose my sunnies, plus I like the variety of different colours and shapes. So I was quite pleasantly surprised to stumble upon zeroUV, a California-based sunglasses shop that carries hundreds of on-trend styles for crazy cheap prices. With chunky plastic frames and pastels making a statement this season, and amazingly affordable prices (plus reasonable shipping too), you can easily afford to nab a pair to match every bikini in your arsenal!

Simon's Coverup

Boho Crochet Coverup – $48 @ Simons
The beach does funny things to a person. It’s the only venue (pretty much) where we are suddenly okay with parading around in the equivalent of underwear, and it’s the only place where a sheer crocheted dress like the one pictured above may actually make you feel covered up enough to grab a drink at the hotel bar or skip into town for some fresh fruit. Still, it’s plenty cute and may even work for music festival season with a bandeau top and cutoffs. Just remember to stay out of the sun if you’re wearing this for prolonged periods or risk getting the gnarliest tan lines of all time.

Vichy Sun Care

Vichy Sun Care Products – From $14.95
Ladies and gentlemen, if I could offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. I could carry on that quote (and kudos if you know what it’s referencing), but really people, I can’t over-emphasize the importance of sun care products when going on a trip. This includes sunscreen with a high SPF rating – Vichy’s offerings go up to SPF 60 but feel light as air when lathered on, whether you use their spray or lotion varieties. Contrary to popular belief, a higher SPF doesn’t mean you’ll get a bit of a golden glow / the benefits of the sun. In a lot of ways, it simply means you’ll have to apply it less – so you can worry less about getting burnt to a crisp in the Caribbean sun. It’s also important to consider a different sunscreen for your face than your body, like Vichy’s Ideal Soleil Ultra Light Lotion. For one thing, face sunscreens are usually formulated with extra nourishing moisturizers to keep your skin from drying out and wrinkles from popping up, and for another, it’s usually a less greasy formula so you don’t have to worry about breakouts. Finally, remember to stock up your tote bag with post-sun care; Vichy’s Ideal Soleil After Sun Hydrating Milk will lavish parched skin and make it more resistant to sun damage with ongoing application. And hey, if you want that ‘sunning in the tropics’ look without any sun damage, be sure to check out Vichy’s Ideal Soleil Sunless Tanner – easy to apply for a streak-free kiss of bronze.

Heading down south this winter? Looking ahead to warmer weather this spring? I’m giving away a Vichy Ideal Soleil prize package valued at $109! If you win, you’ll receive:

  • Ideal Soleil After Sun Milk
  • Self Tanner
  • Sun Protecting Cream SPF 60
  • Ultra Light Lotion SPF 50

Want to win this amazing sunshiney prize package? Here’s how to enter!

1) First & foremost: you must be a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide to enter this giveaway. It’s as simple as finding ‘The Gift of Gab’ box in the righthand column and dropping in your email or clicking follow. Then leave me a comment below by February 3, 2016, telling me your favourite beachy gift idea in this post, as well as a link to the Vichy Sun Care product you’d most like to try.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around February 4, 2016 to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow Vichy Canada on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos or share a photo from their site onto your own feed. Whichever option you pick, be sure to tag them in it! And leave a separate comment below with a link to your Instagram post.

Comments
123 Responses to “Chasing the Sun”
  1. doreen lamoureux says:

    I subscribe by email. dorcontest at gmail dot com
    I like the http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare from their site. My favorite item choice from your post is the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag

  2. Norma D says:

    Vichy products are amazing! Affordable quality. http://www.vichy.ca/en/suncare. I love the Kate Spade bag.

  3. Rachel C. says:

    the sunglasses are such a fun gift idea! And i’d love to try this after-sun balm: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-sos-balm–3337871318697.html?cgid=suncare#start=2&cgid=suncare

  4. aclily19 says:

    I like the sunglasses, especially the yellow ones. For sunscreen I would try the sf 60. I like that it is rated for face and body. http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-cream-spf-60-3337871319472.html?cgid=suncare#start=4&cgid=suncare

  5. Taps says:

    Want to try the ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50

  6. Jen V. says:

    I love the beach prints from indigo. The Vichy products are awesome. My favorite is the after sun milk. I would love to try this one.http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare

  7. Jonnie says:

    The Vichy products are my favorite gift idea from the post

    Jonnie

  8. Joan G. says:

    I like the Boho Crochet Coverup and my favourite Vichy product is the Ideal Soleil Invisible Mist SPF 50 Spray.
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-50-3337871330439.html?cgid=suncare

  9. israel y says:

    I like the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag from your post. And I like the http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare

  10. Audrey Skinner says:

    I love the Kate Spade tote.

  11. tammy ta says:

    the ultra light lotion 50 SPF is my favourite idea from this post

  12. Karen says:

    The beach prints are cool. I would love to try After Sun Hydrating Milk!

  13. Kathleen L says:

    I’d love to try the self tanner and also this Vichy Ideal Soleil Cream http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil–cream-spf-30-3337871319458.html?cgid=suncare#start=3&cgid=suncare

  14. Joy D says:

    The stylish tote bag

  15. Sarah H says:

    I love the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote bag and would love to try the invisible spf 30 mist http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-3337871328689.html?cgid=suncare#start=5&cgid=suncare

  16. Kim K says:

    I love the beach coverup from Simons and the Vichy sun care products. I’m a subscriber 🙂

  17. Barb B says:

    The zeroUV sunglasses are just the perfect thing to have more than one of, as they tend to wander! http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-sheer-lotion-bare-skin-feel-spf-60-3337871323714.html?cgid=suncare#start=11&cgid=suncare is what I would choose for all over protection.

  18. Shannon says:

    I like the crochet cover up. I’d most like to try the Vichy After Sun Hydrating Milk: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare

  19. darlene boyle says:

    beach prints

  20. Angela Mitchell says:

    I’d love to try the IDÉAL SOLEIL INVISIBLE MIST SPF 50 http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-50-3337871330439.html?cgid=suncare#start=6&cgid=suncare
    My favourite beachy gift idea is the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag — so cute!

  21. cosmicread says:

    I love the cute I love the beach prints . I would love to try the IDÉAL SOLEIL AFTER SUN SOS BALM http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-sos-balm–3337871318697.html?cgid=suncare#start=2&cgid=suncare

  22. soleil invisible mist and th Vichy sun care products would love

  23. Gigi says:

    I absolutely LOVE the Kate Spade tote bag! The bow, the stripes, the size, it’s perfect!

  24. Mary Boudreau says:

    I really like the Kate Spade reid street large ryan bag and I’d like to try the IDÉAL SOLEIL INVISIBLE MIST SPF 50 http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-50-3337871330439.html?cgid=suncare#prefn1=concernArea&prefv1=sensitivity|uvProtection&start=6&cgid=suncare

  25. I really like the Vichy products .

  26. Debbie White Beattie says:

    I really like the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag, the bow makes it awesome.

  27. CAROLANN WESTBROOK says:

    I love the wide variety of products and merchandise offered as prizes. The Vichy suncare products would be so nice to take on a holiday, and the Ryan tote bag by Kate Spade would be just the place to put them all. And imagine how great one would look wearing the yellow sunglasses!

  28. intensev5 says:

    I would love to try this product: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-30-3337871319465.html?cgid=suncare#start=13&cgid=suncare
    and I loved the fun Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag from Kate Spade

  29. Erin McSweeney says:

    the vichy suncare products are my most favorite on this list…and i would love to try http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil–cream-spf-30-3337871319458.html?cgid=suncare#start=3&cgid=suncare

  30. madison c says:

    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare
    this is my favourite, looks light and spf 30 is plenty of protection

  31. Louise says:

    I really like the beach prints. I would love to try the IDÉAL SOLEIL LIP SPF30 I really could have used this last summer during our heat and wind. http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-lip-spf30–30092785.html?cgid=suncare#start=7&cgid=suncare

  32. AliKira says:

    The vichy suncare products are my favourites from this list as well.

  33. Karen Daniel says:

    Vichy products are amazing! Affordable quality. http://www.vichy.ca/en/suncare. I love the Kate Spade bag!

  34. mousecat says:

    I really like the Boho Crochet Coverup – but you’re right – I’d only feel comfy wearing this on a beach vacation! ha ha!

  35. Sean M says:

    The bag would be a great gift for a beach loving family member

  36. Jolie says:

    I’m a suscriber.
    My favourite idea are the heart-shaped sunglasses, how cute is that!
    Love this Vichy product http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare

  37. Lisa Morrison says:

    I love the Vichy sun care products.

  38. linda p says:

    I really like the tote – great color + so useful!

  39. Alison K says:

    I’m a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide. My favourite beachy gift idea in this post are the zeroUV Sunglasses, as well as a link to the Vichy Sun Care product I’d most like to try would be their IDÉAL SOLEIL CREAM SPF 60 Body and Face Protection http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-cream-spf-60-3337871319472.html?cgid=suncare

  40. Kimberley Hamilton says:

    I love these sunny ideas! The sunglasses are so cute! I would also love to try the Vichy products.
    This looks good too, the SOS after sun balm
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-sos-balm–3337871318697.html?cgid=suncare#start=2&cgid=suncare

  41. Sandra Mooney says:

    The Vicjy products are wonderful. I also like the tote to take on my beach trips. Thanks for opportunity to win.

  42. Christine Holliday says:

    I just love that tote bag! My chosen Vichy product is http://www.vichy.ca/en/liftactiv-derm-source-night-3337871322502.html?cgid=category

  43. Pam says:

    the tote!

  44. Sylvia Reddom says:

    Great beach prints would make a fantastic gift!

  45. Sylvia Reddom says:

    http://www.vichy.ca/en/suncare I think the Vichy After Sun Milk would be the best product to try and the Beach Prints would be great gift ideas.

  46. Daniela Plume says:

    I love the tote as a beach gift idea! The Vichy product I’d most like to try is The after sunk milk
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare

  47. Susan Patterson says:

    I really like the Beach Prints and my favorite Vichy product is the Sheer Lotion ! Thanks! http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-sheer-lotion-bare-skin-feel-spf-45-3337871320256.html?cgid=suncare#start=10&cgid=suncare

  48. Theresa C. says:

    Love the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag by Kate Spade! And I’d love to try this: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-50-3337871330439.html?cgid=suncare#start=6&cgid=suncare

  49. Sherry K says:

    I love the zero Sunglasses and would like to try the After Sun Hydrating Milkhttp://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare

  50. Victoria Ess says:

    I love the sun care products from vichy!

  51. katydidit21 says:

    I love the Boho Crochet Coverup from Simons.
    I’d most like to try the Ultra Light Lotion
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare

  52. tiesha says:

    I totally like the sound of the ultralight lotion! I will need to try that. http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare

    But those Reid Street larage tote bags! Oh, those tote bags! Super cute.

  53. kim says:

    My favourite is the Ideal Soleil Invisible Mist SPF 50 Spray and would love to try
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-stick-for-sensitive-zones-spf-60–3337871320270.html?cgid=suncare

  54. Deanna Barkley says:

    I love the black and white Kate Spade bag. I would like to try the Ultra Light lotion.http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare

  55. valerie Caldicott says:

    I like the Reid Street tote bag, love the bow & for Vichy I like the mist in 30 SPF
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-3337871328689.html?cgid=suncare#start=5&cgid=suncare

  56. Olivia Trussell says:

    I like the sunglasses. I’d like to try the following Vichy product.
    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil–cream-spf-30-3337871319458.html?cgid=suncare#start=3&cgid=suncare

  57. Haroon Khan says:

    I like the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote bag. I would like to try Vichy Ideal Soleil Cream SPF30 http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil–cream-spf-30-3337871319458.html?cgid=suncare#start=3&cgid=suncare

  58. VALERIE SOLTIS says:

    I love your tanning products! Good luck!

  59. Melacat says:

    I like the Boho Cover. I would LOVE to try the self-tanner http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-self-tanner–3337871310714.html?cgid=suncare

  60. Denise H. says:

    The “zero UV sunglasses” are really cute but I do really love the “Boho Coverup” too! I wear sunglasses year round – did you know that your eyeballs can actually get sunburn? Of course I always wear sunscreen. I’d love to win the “Vichy” gift package Thank You for the chance! http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-30-3337871319465.html?cgid=suncare#start=13&cgid=suncare

  61. Maryna says:

    I love Vichy products!!!!!

  62. Mary Jaglowitz says:

    I am interested in Vichy products.

  63. Tracy D says:

    I’m a subscriber! I love the Boho beach cover up, it’s possible to be stylish on the beach! As far as Vichy, their products are awesome, but I’ve never tried the Sheer Lotion Bare Skin, would love to: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-sheer-lotion-bare-skin-feel-spf-60-3337871323714.html?cgid=suncare

  64. Susan says:

    I like the Kate Spade bag the most. The Vichy product I would want to try is Ideal Soleil Ultra Light Lotion. http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare#start=14&cgid=suncare

  65. Deb Philippon says:

    I love the Reid Street Ryan tote bag. I like Vichy products, and would like to try the Ultra Light Lotion.

  66. Lia says:

    I really like the beach themed pictures.

  67. eric says:

    The sunglasses are such a fun gift idea! And i would love to try this after-sun balm: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-sos-balm–3337871318697.html?cgid=suncare#start=2&cgid=suncare

  68. Lynda Larsen-Baldry says:

    My favourite beachy gift idea in this post is the beach prints from Indigo
    I would love to try the Vichy http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare

  69. Tamara Attanasio says:

    I like the beach prints! They’re so cute. I would like to try the Vichy invisible mist 50spf. Looks great http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-50-3337871330439.html?cgid=suncare#start=6&cgid=suncare

  70. aarone mawdsley says:

    i would love to win the invisible mist

  71. Shelley N says:

    I just love the Kate Spade tote bag. It looks like something a jet setter would use on the beach.

  72. aly3360 says:

    My favourite gift idea is the beach prints from indigo. It’s a nice way to keep the beach with you all year long!! I’m a subscriber to your blog and here’s the link the to vichy product i’d most like to try.

    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-after-sun-milk–3337871322724.html?cgid=suncare#start=1&cgid=suncare

  73. Tara B. says:

    I really truly love the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote bag and would love to try the invisible spf 30 mist http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-3337871328689.html?cgid=suncare#start=5&cgid=suncare

  74. Subscribed. I live IDÉAL SOLEIL CREAM SPF 30 body and face sunscreen

  75. Laura says:

    I like the prints from Indigo.

  76. Kathy says:

    I will be boarding a plane in four weeks to chase down some sun so I could certainly use the SPF 60 sunscreen seeing as we have not has any sunbathing weather here for months

  77. Lynn M says:

    That tote bag is sweet.

  78. Rae D. says:

    I really like the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote bag and would like to try the invisible spf 30 mist http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-3337871328689.html?cgid=suncare#start=5&cgid=suncare

  79. Nicole B says:

    My favorite from the post is the tote bag and product I would love to try is: http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-3337871328689.html?cgid=suncare#start=5&cgid=suncare

  80. Susanne Craig says:

    http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-invisible-mist-spf-30-33378/1328689.html? cgid=sybcare#start=5&cgid+suncare and my favourite would be the Reid Large Ryan Tote Bag.

  81. Karen Petrychko says:

    I love the Vichy

  82. Sunshine G says:

    I like the Kate Spade bag…and I’m always looking for a good self tanner, like http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-self-tanner–3337871310714.html?cgid=suncare

  83. Sara says:

    I adore that Kate Spade bag!
    I would most like try http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-sheer-lotion-bare-skin-feel-spf-45-3337871320256.html?cgid=suncare#start=9&cgid=suncare , sunscreen that doesn’t feel like you’re wearing sunscreen sounds great to me!

  84. I’m really liking the zeroUV sunglasses. Useful and cool. The Vichy product I’d like to try is the Ideal Soleil lip balm. I tend to neglect my lips when applying sunscreen. http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-lip-spf30–30092785.html?cgid=suncare#start=6&cgid=suncare

  85. sarah says:

    I like the boho crochet coverup and I think this Vichy product would work great for me. http://www.vichy.ca/en/aqualia-thermal-extrasensitive-3337871324193.html?cgid=moisturizers#start=2&cgid=moisturizers

  86. Donnas says:

    I’d love to take a class in pattern design.

  87. amy scott says:

    Awesome giveaway. Would like to win 🙂

  88. Irene Eichler says:

    I would love the Boho Crochet Coverup .. !

  89. Valerie Gibson says:

    The Vichy suncare products are my favourite idea and the Vichy product I would most like to try is http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-ultra-light-lotion-spf-50-3337871322731.html?cgid=suncare

  90. Mike Gillis says:

    The sunglasses look cool. 🙂

  91. Janet P. says:

    My favourite beachy gift idea is the Reid Street Large Ryan Tote Bag and the Vichy Sun product I would most like to try is the Self Tanner http://www.vichy.ca/en/ideal-soleil-self-tanner–3337871310714.html?cgid=suncare#start=8&cgid=suncare

  92. Toks W says:

    My favourite beachy gift pick is zeroUV Sunglasses. Wish it was warm enough for them sometime soon.

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