Showcase Your Lake Pride With Custom Lake Gifts

Photo courtesy of Well Told Design

On our blog, we’ve previously written about lake-inspired gifts. Whether it’s a last minute gift, a thoughtful gift basket, or a closing gift, a present that reminds the recipient of the lake is always a good idea. However, most lake-related paraphernalia broadly alludes to the lake lifestyle, such as fish themed wall decor, or a clock with scattered numbers indicating “lake time.” But what if you’re looking for lake-inspired gifts that are specific to your own lake? With products from the following companies, you can showcase pride for your lake region. Pretty and personalized, you can’t go wrong with these custom lake gifts.

Lake Map Mugs

Photo courtesy of Well Told Design

Anybody have a map? Well Told Design does. This company’s specialty is creating distinctive, high-quality products that aim to inspire. One of their collections, Lake Map Mugs, offers a wide assortment of ceramic mugs decorated with maps of specific lakes across the U.S. These intricate designs highlight the topography, shorelines, and roadways of several of the country’s popular lakes. Personally, I have the Lake Champlain mug. I love the detailed drawings and the pop of Cerulean color, and the size is perfect for a generous serving of coffee in the morning. If your lake area is listed, this custom lake gift is a winner.

Wood Carved Lake Maps

Image courtesy of Lakehouse Lifestyle

Need a new serving tray, clock, or photo journal? Lakehouse Lifestyle, a store full of custom handcrafted lake gifts, can help. Originated by lake dwellers of 30 years, this company’s creators know the value of seeing your own lake area represented in your home. Their 3D lake maps are made from stunning birch wood with laser carved maps of your lake’s topography. To add more personalization, you can include your own lake house or favorite lake spots on the map. Each product is made with high-quality craftsmanship that will last as long as your house itself.

NeighborWoods

Image courtesy of Awesome Stuff to Buy

Do you live on a lake near an urban area? If so, showcase your city pride with products from NeighborWoods. These intricately carved posters feature a myriad of cities across the U.S. and abroad, many of which include lake areas such as Salt Lake City, Austin, and Chicago. Don’t see your city listed? You can fill out a custom order to personalize this product however you’d like. Besides the city pride aspect, the light wood material with simple etchings is a perfect match for a lake house aesthetic.

Framed Lake Maps

Image courtesy of Seibels

If your lake home is in the southeastern U.S., particularly in Alabama, consider buying a custom lake gift from Siebels, a camp and cottage furniture store located in Homewood, Alabama. Available in small or large sizes, their lake maps are meant to showcase pride for your particular lake. They feature detailed outlines of several popular lake areas in the state such as Smith Lake, Lake Martin, Lake Wilson, Lake Wedowee, and more. The rustic brown, angler aesthetic of these lake maps make them perfect for any lake home.

With the holidays coming up, these custom lake gifts are also perfect for any lake-loving friends and family!

Top Floats for 2021

Photo courtesy of Amazon

It’s summertime at the lake! During this season, there’s nothing better than relaxing on a float, drifting the day away. Whether you choose a simple raft or a luxurious eight-person inflatable, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy an afternoon on the water. As a lake homeowner, it’s likely you already have a storage shed full of lake toys from 2020 and earlier years. But if you and your family are in the market for some new floats this season, you’re in luck. Today, we’re reviewing some of the top floats for 2021.

Bestway Tropical Breeze III

Photo courtesy of Amazon

Looking for an all-inclusive float that the whole family or friend group will love? The Bestway Tropical Breeze III is perfect. There’s plenty of seating for everyone with multiple features such as two detachable rafts, a canopy, and a mesh interior. As a whole, this top float can hold eight people, and it’s complete with six cup holders. If you’re trying to stay close to the dock, it also includes attached ropes for anchoring.

WOW Watersports Floating Island

Photo courtesy of WOW Watersports

With this circular inflatable, you and your crew can spend all day chatting on the lake. The WOW Watersports Floating Island can hold up to 10 people on its party-size 12-foot-long surface. Made of heavy-duty PVC plastic, this lake float is meant to last. It also comes with eight cup holders, so there’s plenty of room for beverages. In the center, there’s a mesh area for anyone who wants to be immersed in water while still enjoying the raft.

 

WOW Parthenon Spa Island

Photo courtesy of WOW Watersports

With this top float, you can bring the magic of Ancient Greece to your lake house. But this fun theme is only part of the reason why the Wow Parthenon Spa Island is a great option. Made of PVC plastic, this eight-person float is extremely durable. But its most defining feature is being fully shaded, making this float perfect for a hot day. After all, how else did the ancient Greeks make it through the Mediterranean heat? Also, keep in mind that an electric pump is sold separately to inflate and deflate it.

Funboy Golf Cart Float

Photo courtesy of Maxim

Many of us lake-dwellers are fans of golf. But with the Funboy Golf Cart float, you can bring a golf cart directly to the water. In addition to being a fun, two-person float, this inflatable doubles as a convertible with a fringe roof that’s removable. This way, you have the option of basking in the sun or keeping it shady. Additionally, the brand Funboy is donating 20% of all product proceeds to Feeding America, a nonprofit promoting hunger relief in the U.S.

Aqua Beach Wave Floating Party Mat

Photo courtesy of Frontgate

Although this top float is more on the expensive side, the Aqua Beach Wave Floating Party Mat is undoubtedly worth it. The design looks simple — essentially a massive floating mat — but it’s actually very durable with impressive features. It’s made of cross-linked foam, which will keep this mat both afloat and intact. It also has four cup holders for a small group and hook straps so you don’t float too far from the dock.

Retro Phone Lounger Float

Photo courtesy of Funboy

Hello? The lake is calling! If you’re looking for a relatively inexpensive float for one person, look no further than this product from Funboy. This candy-colored retro phone lounger float is cute, simple, and perfect for the lake. Made from 100% PVC vinyl, it’s easy to maintain, wipe, and clean. Plus, its small size makes it easy to transport from the pool to the lake and back. 

From our lake house to yours, we hope you enjoy your summer lounging on these top floats!

Reviews of Water Bottles for Summer 2021

Photo courtesy of @gstrib5 via Twenty20

During the summertime at the lake, you’re likely spending tons of time outdoors. Whether you’re going boating or hitting the trails, it’s necessary to stay hydrated in the summer heat. However, for those of us living the lake lifestyle, we need hearty water bottles. Not any plastic contraption will do. To help you choose the best water bottle this summer, we’ve compiled reviews of some top choices. Check out these summer water bottles to try this year.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of Future via TechRadar

The hydro flask water bottle is often lauded as one of the most popular water bottles in recent years. It’s easy to understand why. The 18/8 stainless steel material provides double-wall vacuum insulation, which keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for up to 12 hours. They’re also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean this water bottle along with the rest of your dishes. By buying a hydro flask water bottle, you’re also doing the earth a favor! This brand supports several non-profit organizations that help maintain public parks.

LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of awe365.com

One of the most annoying things about most water bottles is that they’re a hotbed for bacteria growth. Although these bacteria are not typically harmful to humans, they’re undoubtedly obnoxious. With the LARQ self-cleaning water bottle, you don’t have to worry! Using an LED light that switches on inside the cap, this water bottle purifies up to 99.9% of the bacteria inside. However, please note that this water bottle doesn’t clean microplastics, chlorine, or metals, so be sure to use clean water.

 

Swell Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of My Frugal Adventures

Made of high-grade 18/8 stainless steel with a fun silhouette, the Swell water bottles are as effective as they are sleek. Like the hydro flask, the Swell’s triple-layer vacuum insulated frame will keep cold drinks cool for up to 24 hours and hot beverages hot for 12. With the Swell, you also get the added aesthetic benefit. This brand is known for its stylish designs ranging from watercolor to granite to faux wood. When cleaning this product, remember that it’s hand wash only!

Yeti Rambler Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of Yeti

Also made of 18/8 stainless steel, the Yeti Rambler is a practical choice for any outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, or boating. The handle and screw lid makes it easy to transport to any of your lakeside adventures. The straightforward design is perfect for anyone who wants a durable, no-nonsense water bottle. The only downside of the Yeti is that it’s a bit heavier than these other options. However, if a few extra grams of weight doesn’t scare you away, the Yeti might be your water bottle of choice!

Platypus Foldable Water Bottle

Photo courtesy of Jane Jackson via Outdoor Gear Lab

If a traditional water bottle is not your cup of tea, the Platypus might be perfect for you. This foldable water bottle allows you to easily store it in a backpack or purse once you’re done drinking from it. You can also clip it to a carabiner. Plus, it’s inexpensive, so you can buy several for yourself and your family for quick outings. Although it doesn’t retain heat or cold like the other products on this list, its collapsible feature makes it more portable and flexible than other choices on the market. Although it’s made of plastic, the mechanics behind this product keep your water tasting fresh. 

No matter which reusable water bottle you choose, we hope you enjoy your active summer at the lake!

Sun Protection Series #3: A Guide to UPF Clothing

Photo courtesy of Gear Lab.

As we’ve said before on this blog, sun protection is essential. Applying SPF at the lake is an integral step to keeping your skin safe. But sometimes, remembering topical protection is hard. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fewer than 15% of men and 30% of women regularly wear sunscreen when spending more than an hour outside. For this reason, sun protective clothing is a great solution; no reapplication, and no worries. In this third article of our Sun Protection Series, we address frequently asked questions about UPF clothing.

What is UPF?

Photo courtesy of lovezahra.com.

To put it simply, UPF is to clothes what SPF is to sunscreen. As you may know, SPF (Sun Protection Factor) evaluates how long sunscreen wards off UV rays before skin reddens. By contrast, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) measures how much UV radiation can penetrate clothing and reach the skin. Clothing with a high UPF is tightly woven to block the sun’s rays. Another distinction between SPF and UPF is the cosmic rays in which wearers are protected. Todd Minars, owner of Minars Dermatology, clarifies, “SPF is only used to rate topical products’ ability to protect against UVB rays, whereas UPF protects against UVA and UVB.” Since not all clothes prevent UV damage equally, UPF measures which clothing offers better sun protection.

What’s Great About UPF Clothing?

Photo courtesy of Coolibar.com.

The downside of sunscreen is remembering to reapply after a few hours. Not to mention the pain of realizing too late that you’ve missed a spot. With UPF clothing, little thought is involved — just put it on! All clothes have some degree of UPF, even cotton t-shirts. However, a standard tee’s UPF rating averages a five on the scale and as low as three when wet. By contrast, UPF clothing designed for spending time outdoors claims to be upwards of 50. Of course, some types of clothes inherently have a high UPF, such as denim. However, in warm, outdoor weather, denim is often too hot to wear regularly, and it’s where UPF clothing comes in. UPF clothing offers premium sun protection, but it’s also relatively lightweight, so you don’t overheat. 

Who Should Wear UPF Clothing?

Photo courtesy of REI.

UPF clothing’s popularity has exploded in recent years. It’s no wonder why, as it fills a niche for multiple populations — those forgetful with their skincare regime, people with an elevated skin cancer risk, and anyone who’s athletic and engaged in outdoor activities. Minars adds, “This is why you see UPF clothing commonly in water-living regions and outdoor sports communities such as running, fishing, snow sports, and more.” If you enjoy biking, hiking, or fishing at your lake house, it may be harder to apply sunscreen while doing these activities all day. As such, UPF clothing is a great option.

Can Hats Have UPF?

Photo courtesy of NYTimes.com.

Yes! When buying hats to wear on the lake, consider UPF a high priority. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the two most common skin cancers often appear on the head and neck. Wearing hats protects these vulnerable areas. Dr. Tanya Kormeili, Board Certified Dermatologist in Santa Monica, says the best type of hat is any that does not allow the light to penetrate through. “Finely woven is ideal for keeping the light from coming through, along with a wide brim…You can pick styles and colors that are super fun and keep your personality shining through!”

What are the Best Brands for UPF Clothing?

Photo courtesy of Lands’ End.

Thankfully, there are lots from which to choose. Manufacturers such as ColumbiaCoolibar, and REI produce entire lines of UV protective clothing. REI even offers a helpful guide on how to choose UPF clothing. For hats, many brands create headgear with excellent UPF. For instance, the Adventure Hat from Sunday Afternoons and REI’s Outdoor Research Oasis Sombrero Hat have brim and neck capes, designed for outdoor activities. And let’s not forget swimsuit brands. Although swimsuits are famous for leaving skin exposed, it doesn’t have to be that way. Plenty of companies make swimsuits with UPF and extra coverage. Products like this convertible swim shirt dress from Skinz have a UPF of 50+ and provide significant body coverage. For a cover-up, check out Athleta’s Baja UPF Jacket

Lake Homes Realty, reminds lake residents to stay safe, stay sun-protected, and have fun!

Top Lake Floats for Summer 2020

Nothing says “summer at the lake” like lounging on a float. Chances are, you already have a few lake floats at your house. Maybe they’re collecting dust in your boat dock shed, and they desperately need cleaning. Or perhaps it’s time to treat yourself by buying a new one this summer. Make sure to consider your budget, the rules of your lake, and ensure you have a working pump. Then — get to shopping! While last year’s list has some great options, here are some of the top lake floats that we love in summer 2020. 

Angel Wings (iBase Toy)

Angel Wings – Amazon.com.

This fun, brightly colored inflatable will give you wings — literally! Its long-lasting quality vinyl protects against the sun’s rays so you can enjoy it for years. Whether you take it to a pool or the lake, you’ll love lounging on this vibrant float. Check it out on Amazon.

Giant Swan Light Up Float (Swimline)

Giant Swan Light Up Float – WestMarine.com.

The highly-rated, popular Swimline giant swan float has a new light-up version. You can float on the lake during a cool summer evening while remaining visible to nearby boaters. Plus, the LED lights have a fun flare, as they alternate between white, blue, green, and purple. Learn more on the Swimline website.

Inflatable Pizza Slice Float (Joyin)

Pizza Slice Float – The Green Head.

Your favorite food is about to become your ideal inflatable. This pizza-shaped float is fun and playful, perfect for any lake or pool party. You can even buy eight “slices” of lake floats to tie together for a family or friend group. And although you can easily tear a real piece of pizza, this high-quality product is tear-resistant. Take a look at Amazon.

Splash ‘N Chill Inflatable Relaxation Island (Intex)

Splash ‘N Chill Inflatable – Amazon.com.

This massive inflatable, aptly called Splash ‘n Chill, is like bringing your own floating boat dock to the water. It comfortably seats up to 7 people, with the added bonus of cupholders and a built-in cooler. Take a look at all the amazing features on Amazon. Then grab a beer, some friends, and relax.

American Flag Inflatable (Intex)

American Flag Inflatable – Amazon.com.

Did someone say, “4th of July?” With this American flag inflatable, you can relax on the lake while expressing your patriotic spirit. It inflates within minutes so you can get on the “sea to shining sea” faster. Plus, the extra-strength vinyl material will keep you afloat for as long as you’d like. Check it out!

Giant Inflatable Derby Duck (GAME)

Giant Inflatable Derby Duck – Pinterest.

What’s better than a rubber duck in the bathtub? This giant inflatable duck with sunglasses in a pool or lake. No doubt about it, this inflatable from GAME is the coolest of all the lake floats. Use one of the five handles to climb on board and enjoy the day. 

Flamingo Party Island (Intex)

Flamingo Float – Amazon.com.

With this top inflatable, you can float like a flamingo this summer. The four cup holders and built-in cooler will keep your crew hydrated, and the mesh floor will keep your feet cool all day. No need for anyone to balance on one foot either– this float comfortably seats four people with plenty of legroom. 

Dragon Float (GoFloats)

Dragon Float – GoFloats.com.

If summer wasn’t already hot enough, it’s time to add some fire! This dragon float is made to last from premium UV-protectant vinyl. It even includes a bonus dragon drink float to hold your magical goblet of choice. 

Inflatable Rainbow Cloud Drink Holder (Jasonwell)

Rainbow Drink Float – Amazon.com.

Even though you can’t float on this inflatable, your drinks can! This Rainbow Cloud Drink Holder from Jasonwell will bring the snack bar to you. Add some ice in the middle to keep snacks and other beverages cold. Perfect for a pool or shallow lake water.

With these top lake floats, you won’t want to leave the lake! 

How to Organize and Store Lake Gear in the Garage

Lake house garage organization

Most of us have to admit that the garage can quickly become overcrowded, piled high with outdoor lake gear and clutter. But there are some ways to get around all that, even if it seems hopeless. When it comes to garage organization, the idea is to utilize the ceilings and the walls to your advantage.

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