I remember all too well my beach expeditions as a new mom: wrestling with unruly, unattractive tents that were unbearably hot and umbrellas that were likely to blow away.

Faced with similar experiences, Melbourne moms Skye Hollingsworth and Claire Harris decided to come up with a better option, and through their company Hollie and Harrie, they launched the Sombrilla, a versatile sun shade that offers 95 percent protection from harmful rays. Sporting exotic patterns in tropical hues, sombrillas are bright and cheerful, lightweight, adjustable, and easy to assemble.

Above: Sombrilla shades are available worldwide; AUD $180. Shipping to the US is about $15.

Above: There's room for two or more underneath a sombrella.

Above: Sitting atop sturdy, powder-coated aluminum poles, sombrilla's adjustable cotton shade shields you when the sun is either high or low in the sky.

Above: At a mere 7.7 lbs, sombrilla (pictured here in Leaf Me Here Green) is easily ported in its own sporty sack.