A healthy, stylish guide to a scorching summer

Summer beckons.

We all love summer, well most of us. We associate summer with holidays, romps in the beaches, trekking the countryside, camping in the wilds (for the adventurous).

For the kids and the tweens pleading for summer breaks up north near the South China Seas but whose moms and pops cannot leave work , summer can also mean having fun in the neighborhood pool and unlimited googling and chatting at Internet cafes.

But summer, lest we forget, can be cruel. It means the blistering sun. The sun, plainly speaking, scorches and dehydrates. Puts us all in a strain, constantly worrying about the sun's ageing effects on our skin.

So before running out of the house for that coveted beach holiday in celebrities-teeming Bora, in surf-paradise Pagudpud, or communing with nature (never mind insect bites, LOL), make a list of practical to-dos on your pre-holiday shopping sprees.

Beach accessories  Fashionista, metrosexual, ubersexual. Whatever. You must be tired of that flower-patterned kaftan which BFF says is so oldies or that sunglass which makes you look like a bumblee. There are wide-ranging protective sea holiday accents like a nifty kimono, aqua goggles, designer sunglasses, wonder optics, beach hats, aquatic shoes, beach sandals. Put them on. You never know, they could make you look like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Siobhan Magnus or David Beckham (ooh-la-la).

Skin and dehydration protection Of course, Mom and Pop are good-lookers but do you want to have their crows feet and pucker lines on your forehead? Throw into that tote bag the sun creams, sun blocks, skin gels and lotions. They will make you look good and silky. Oh, and add those vitamins, health supplements, green teas, health juices, antioxidants, ice compress, pain medications, anti-itch creams, baking soda, vinegar (yes, they’re good for jellyfish stings). We’re not kidding. We don't want to spoil your summer gig. Good health is beauty, or is it the other way round?

So, peeps, have fun frolicking in the sun. But stay healthy and stylish. Happy shopping! Go!