A Lifestyle Asia Checklist: Everything You Need for That Instagram-Worthy Pool Party - Luxe Living

If the weather is any indication (have you noticed the random storms lately?), the rainy season will be upon us soon. As we salvage the last few weeks of the hot, summer season, we suggest you start planning that “Instagramable” pool party you’ve always wanted to throw (but for some reason haven’t). For a little party inspiration, we’ve compiled a few tips and good suppliers to get you moving. Throwing a pool party is really quite simple. All you need is good food, amazing drinks, music, some water toys, and good company. Beach bods are negotiable when you’ve got a troop of amazing buds to enjoy soaking up the sun with!

Lots of floaties and inflatable toys will always make a pool party better. (Photograph courtesy of Sunny Life)
Lots of floaties and inflatable toys will always make a pool party better. (Photograph courtesy of Sunny Life)

It’s All About the Inflatables

 You can’t have an Instagram-worthy summer party without a pool filled with the only the cutest and quirkiest of inflatables. Trust us, you’ll be a social media sensation amongst your circle of friends when the pool looks glorious and colorful. S&R grocery actually carries a treasure trove of water inflatables and floaters from Sunny Life. The brand provides summer lovers with various inflatable shapes such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, and even animals! They’re latest release is the quirky unicorn collection, which will surely get everyone’s attention (warning: they could possibly even overshadow you as host and star of the party). For those looking for more minimalist designs, check our Mylleshop.com, who offers black and white inflatables, with cool, structured prints.

RELATED READS: 10 Random (But Truly Fun) Things to Do This Summer

Put effort in your decorations and people will remember your pool party for the next summers to come
Put effort in your decorations and people will remember your pool party for the next summers to come

Get Resourceful with Your Decorations

Decorating your lanai and pool area is usually one of the most fun parts of planning a party. It’s easy to see what you have available at home to make things extra special for your guests. What you need in order to do this right is to make sure that you have a clear theme. If you’re doing a Mexican themed pool party, then a piñata may be in order. If you’re doing something tropical and Hawaiian, take some inspiration from Keri Zamora’s garden party. She made sure that her table was filled with fun little details such as pineapples. Her fresh, fruit cocktails were even adorned with orchids! If you’re going for extremely quirky-millennial, balloons are always fun. Buy a lot, have them blown, and set them up as arcs by the pool. They don’t only add a special something to your “random pool party”, but it will make it a memorable summer get together. Always remember, the little things count in making a grand experience.

RELATED READS: Keri Zamora’s Tropical Themed Party is Instagram Goals

Serve the lechon belly just like Pamana does
Serve the lechon belly just like Pamana does

Good Food and Drinks Make or Break a Party

Sure, you may be the (self-proclaimed) master of drinking and your bar may always be full and your guests are always drunkenly satisfied. But never forget that food is just as important as having a good bar menu. If your pool party was only two days in the making, and it seems to be impossible to swing a Margarita Fores-catering miracle for your guests, there are plenty of alternatives that will surely make everyone happy. And please, don’t take the easy way out. There’s only so much Conti’s salmon and Sonja’s cupcakes we can eat (although both are very good, and we wouldn’t mind). For a change, check out Aperitif (Instragram: @aperitif), which has proven to be very popular lately. The young brand can curate amazing cheese and cold cut platters that will amaze your guests and leave them with happy stomachs. While we’re on the subject of “happy”, chef and entrepreneur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu has also recently launched Mom Made, which offers frozen recipes from her best restaurants. Now you can serve Pamana’s lechon belly, just as they do, in the comfort of your own home. Happy is a trained and talented chef, and no guests will be complaining when you serve them one of her many wonderful creations. ADDITIONAL TIP: G&T carts are all the rage this summer, so make sure to look up how to do an amazing one!

RELATED READS: Chef and Entrepreneur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu Launches Mom Made, Healthy and Delicious Frozen Food Products for Busy Moms

Use an Hermès scarf as a turban to look good even when in the water
Use an Hermès scarf as a turban to look good even when in the water (Photograph courtesy of Yukie Sarto)
Rustan's Resortwear Spring Summer 2018
Rustan’s Resortwear Spring Summer 2018

Look Good Even in the Water  

Pull that Hermès scarf out of the black hole that is known as your walk-in closet. Whoever said you couldn’t wear a scarf during the hot, summer months totally lacked imagination. Your beautifully printed, luxury scarf can become a beautiful printed, luxury bandana during your pool party. You’ll look picture perfect when you match it with your newly purchased swimwear. Don’t be afraid of color either. It’s the summer, meaning it’s the perfect opportunity to sport vibrant hues that will certainly make you the life of the party. The same goes for the gentlemen, colorful swimming shorts never hurt anybody. For some fashion inspiration, check out Rustan’s Department Store’s newest Resort Wear Collection for 2018, which features bold patterns and vibrant hues on caftans, bikinis, sport jackets, and swim shorts, which are all you need for a day out on the sun.

RELATED READS: Beauty Break: Plan a Luxurious Summer Vacation with Friends in Rustan’s Resort Wear

Above everything, enjoy yourself!
Above everything, enjoy yourself! (Photograph courtesy of Yukie Sarto) 

Enjoying the Party is the Most Important Thing 

When your floaties are in the pool, your bar is well-stocked, the food spread perfect, and your outfit faultless, make sure you enjoy yourself. Over anything, this is the most important thing on the check-list. If you’ve forgotten something (just don’t forget good music), just let it go! Nobody’s perfect, but you can have a perfect day when you let your hair down and remember why you did this in the first place: to enjoy and be with the people that you love! Have a happy summer!

P.S. Don’t forget to read our tips on how to get a over a hangover. We’ll just leave this here for the next day! 

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