Cottage Life editors are steeped in cottage culture year-round, so they have a good idea of what products deserve a spot in their weekender bag. Here are the items that they can’t live without at the cottage.
Yeti tumblers
“I bought one like this for my husband for Christmas, thinking it would be perfect for when he takes my son to his early-morning hockey practices. It holds LOTS of coffee and is great for early morning fishing trips.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
Buy it at Amazon.ca.
A Blue Jays hat
“I’m a big baseball fan so I love to rep the Jays in the summer. Plus, a hat is a must at the cottage; it keeps the sun out of your face, protects your scalp from burning (not fun), and covers up unwashed hair.”—Alysha Vandertogt, Associate Editor
Buy it at Amazon.ca.
A packable towel
“I like to workout on the dock and go for runs, and I sweat A LOT. I carry this little towel with me to wipe it up haha They are surprisingly absorbent! Also, if you jump in the lake after your run, you’ve got a little something to dry off with after.” —Marie Waine, Editorial Assistant
Buy it at Mec.ca.
A good book
“I’m a big reader and can’t wait to tuck into Empire of Pain, the new nonfiction pageturner from Patrick Radden Keefe. His last book, Say Nothing, about the troubles in Northern Ireland, was so well researched and fascinating. I see a hammock and this new tome in my summer future.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
Buy it at Indigo.ca.
A headlamp
“Whether you’re in the basement replacing a fuse, looking for the hidden key when you’ve arrived on a moonless night, or out for a night hike or swim, a headlamp leaves your hands free and lights your way. Don’t leave home without it (and bring spare batteries!)” —Liann Bobechko, Deputy Editor
Buy it at Mec.ca.
Chips
“Anyone who knows me knows that my biggest food vice is potato chips (though saying it’s a vice is really not accurate as I harbour no ill will towards eating them as often as possible). My favourite brand is Canadian-made: Covered Bridge. I’ll take any flavour but am partial to barbecue.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
Buy them at Amazon.ca.
Birkenstocks
“The ultimate summer shoe? These Birkenstocks. They are Croc-like in their material but slightly more stylish and super comfortable. And the best part is that you can wash them in the machine when they get dirty, so they look good all summer.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
Buy them at Mec.ca.
A barbecue
One of the first gifts I ever gave my husband was this Weber BBQ. Best gift I ever bought myself, right? We use it all year. And when I use the term “we” I really mean “he.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
Buy it at Lowes.ca.
A hammock
“We bought this hammock for an RV road trip last summer and got so much use out of it. Took it to our two cottage rentals as well. There are always trees that call out for a hammock, in my experience, and this one allows you to pretty much disappear into a tube of relaxation.” —Michelle Kelly, Editor
A good book series
My cottage is off-grid and water-access, so when it rains, you really need a good book in hand—and the cottage is a great place to read. The stillness there kind of encourages it. I’m a big fan of Sue Grafton novels—the Kinsey Millhone alphabet series. —Jackie Davis, Senior Editor
Buy it at Indigo.ca.
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