We all have that friend that is always working her butt off – from pulling late nights in the office to always being the first to say yes to a birthday brunch or to volunteer to lend a hand with anything you may need. And while she’s amazing, she’s also likely to be the last to ever admit to being overwhelmed or stressed out – but everyone needs to kick back and relax every once in awhile! Another universal truth? Everyone loves surprises. So let’s combine those two truths into something awesome… a surprise little recipe for relaxation for your very best pal.

I’ve found that getting some fresh air and spending some time in the sunshine is one of the best ways to decompress – we spend way too much time cooped up indoors when we’re busy, so ditching the desk can be one of the best ways to instantly feel more relaxed. A look at a few things to pull together for a relaxation kit that’s perfect for a day in the park, lounging poolside or with your feet in the sand:

DIY Recipe for Relaxation:

Start with a bold and bright tote that’s not only practical (everyone loves a good tote! There’s nothing better for hauling all of your goods around) – this option from Ban.do is as happy as they come and will have her ready to slip on her shades and take a little break. The tote also makes a great gift bag in itself so write her a little note saying you know how much she’s been working her butt off and pack that baby up with her faves!

I know I can usually gauge how busy I am by how behind I get on my email inbox, reading list and magazine subscriptions. The less time I have the more those babies tend to pile up and while I love nothing more than kicking back and doing some reading, it’s a little luxury that gets forgotten about when the to do list gets out of control. Pick up a few of her favorite magazines and books you know she’d love to give her an excuse to unplug and get lost in reading for a bit.

Next up? A few adult beverages and some sweets – my all-time favorite combination! Mike’s Hard Lemonade is a great choice to pack because they taste amazing (the blood orange is THE BOMB) yet she won’t have to fuss with any prep work or cocktail making. She doesn’t even need a bottle opener! Mike’s also is a big believer in the power of kicking back and relaxing, they’ve teamed up with Boot Campaign, an organization dedicated to promoting patriotism for America and our military community while raising awareness of the challenges military members face during and after service and are donating $125,000 from the sales of their newest Flavors of America variety pack to fund once-in-a-lifetime experiences for veterans. So while slipping a few Mike’s in her recipe for relaxation kit is great for your BFF, it’s also helping to support an incredible cause.

Toss a few extras in the bag, from a few shades of bright nail polish to a new pair of sunglasses or movie theater candy favorites. Help that girl treat herself! Finish up the kit with a new beach towel, some sunscreen and a water bottle and she’ll be good to go with everything she could need for ditching her busy day to spend a few hours in the sunshine.

* Photos by Tory Putnam

What do you think of this Recipe for Relaxation kit? Any other goodies you’d recommend packing? Do you have any friends that would love a surprise that practically demands they take some time for themselves?

This post was created in partnership with Mike’s Hard Lemonade