What’s in Our Editors’ Bags: Summer Friday Edition

Stephanie Nguyen, associate native editor, has big plans to spend her next Summer Friday chasing thrills at a nostalgia-inducing amusement park. Since spending hours on her feet will be a given, she's lightening her usual load and choosing items that put an ultra-stylish spin on combating the California sun.

True to her minimalist aesthetic, Stephanie is opting for a gold hair pin for effortless top knots to pull back her hair while making a statement, a rose hibiscus face mist and handy oil blotting sheets to refresh her skin, and a go-to pair of shades. Rounding out her must-have list is an insulated water bottle to keep her hydrated and a Starbucks® Frappuccino® chilled coffee drink that's just as tasty as her usual latte order, but keeps spillages at bay.

When you're the mom of two active sons like Rebecca Gruber, VP of editorial partnerships, keeping everyone busy is a summertime must. To take full advantage of an early start to the weekend, she's loading up the car with family-friendly pieces perfect for a beach trip outside of New York for a change of scenery.

Because her oceanside adventure is all about bringing the family together, Rebecca doesn't leave home without an eye-catching round towel for relaxing on, a portable speaker to crank up her kids' favorite tunes, and a trusty football that's guaranteed to get a pick-up game started in no time. And to fight the sun's warm rays, she also chooses a no-fuss sunscreen, polarized aviator sunglasses, and a creamy caffeinated drink to simultaneously cool off and satisfy her sweet tooth.

When Joanna Douglas, senior native editorial director, heads out of the New York office at 2 p.m., she's jumping on a train for a weekend trip home with her boyfriend. An early dismissal means she'll beat afternoon rush-hour crowds and make it there in time to grab a bite at her favorite seafood shack.

When traveling, Joanna always keeps two things top of mind: comfort and entertainment. True to this philosophy, she's stocking her Summer Friday bag with embellished sandals that'll hold up for hours and look cute with any outfit, wide-brimmed sunglasses and sunscreen to avoid painful sunburns, and a sweet bottled drink whenever she needs a caffeine boost. To pass time on the train or anywhere she goes, she opts for a waterproof e-reader, and stows portable speakers that are ready to use at the beach, park, or even in her backyard as soon as she reaches her hometown.