I grew up in a family where camping was always a favorite pastime, as did my husband. We wanted to make sure Master Toddler could grow to appreciate it as well. For the first time, we recently took him camping (and it was a success!). As my husband prepared our morning coffee in our shiny percolator, he joked that it was a bit fancy for camping. This led me to think why can’t camping be a bit fancy or indulgent? Granted, one day that shiny percolator won’t be as spotless, and no doubt will acquire dings over time, but camping doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice little indulgences.
I don’t find Duchess Kate to be high maintenance and that’s one of the things I admire about her. In a world where she could be, she chooses instead to be her classic self. However, if she were to go camping, I wonder what she would take to put a classic “Kate” touch on it?
A couple of beauty items
I’m not suggesting your whole beauty bag and if you did that, you’d likely attract more bugs than you’d want to. Nevertheless, there are some staples that even Duchess Kate would bring along.
- Sunscreen is always incredibly important and I see this item as a top pick for our Duchess. If your skin is less than perfect and you’re conscious about your complexion, a CC (color correcting) cream, which is often quite light and contains sunscreen, would be a good choice.
- A good lip balm is always needed and especially when you are out and about in the elements.
- Facial cleansing cloths make it very easy to swipe away dirt at the end of the day and are quite helpful if you’re not located near a water supply.
- A fragrance-free lotion is the way to go when camping and you get bonus points if it also contains a sunscreen.
Bedding
It’s time to splurge on the extra warm and comfy sleeping bag! Instead of lugging along a cheap sleeping bag and extra blankets, find a sleeping bag that is exceptional in cold climates so you don’t need to worry about any extra blankets. Additionally, if you find that your back just cannot stand sleeping on the hard, flat ground, find either a comfy pad, cot, or even a twin size air mattress with a battery pump! (I feel like reciting the “Princess and the Pea” story here!)
Bathing
Camping doesn’t mean forgoing a shower! Yes, if it’s the summer and you’re near a lake, you could pop into the water. However, if that’s not feasible, this shower tent from Amazon could certainly meet your needs! Naturally, you’re not going to want to stand in there and exfoliate while deep conditioning your hair but if you’ve had a long day of hiking, it’s nice to scrub off the grime.
Essentials of Home
Like our shiny percolator! A good cup of coffee and/or tea is important and I’m sure is something Duchess Kate appreciates as well. While you could boil your coffee over a campfire, you could also indulge in a small tabletop propane grill to make the task a little less arduous.
Appropriate Clothing
I bet Duchess Kate is a planner and not one to be surprised by the pop-up thunderstorm. During my last camping outing, I forgot a raincoat. Shame on me! Make sure you are prepared for warmer, colder, or wetter weather than expected. Consider waterproof shoes or rain boots. And for the record, little pearl earrings and flannel make a cute combination!
Entertaining
And I specifically mean entertaining any little ones! I can see Duchess Kate as the type of mother who thinks ahead as to how to keep Prince George and Princess Charlotte amused. Toys that can be played with outside and that they’ve never seen before are apt to keep them entertained. Special books, games, and a non-toxic homemade play dough recipe will do the trick!
Special Snacks and Libations
Camping is special and not something you’ll generally do every weekend and often only during the warm weather months. Celebrate by bringing along a special bottle of wine, beer, tea, hot chocolate, sparkling water, etc. Don’t forgot the ingredients for s’mores!
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