Summer Pool Essentials

I’m itching for a little travel, especially to somewhere beachy. But since I’m probably going to take two weeks off in October for my wedding and my honeymoon, I have to put some cream on that itch and wait it out until then.

However, I can still have an awesome staycation at the pool, which is exactly what I did this weekend. It was one of my best friend’s birthday so we had a pool party! I came fully prepared for this party. I’m pretty sure I had to make three trips to get everything from my car to the pool. I don’t pack light and I’m not sorry.

Here are my summer pool essentials:

Pool float: I’m obsessed with the big fun pool float summer trend. I hope it lasts for many summers to come. I love flamingos, so as soon as I saw this one, I had to have it! I gave my friend the pizza one for her birthday.

Pizza float found here! | Flamingo float found here!

Fun straws: I brought flamingo and umbrella straws to the party, but they also came with Hawaiian flower straws. You can find these straws here!

Cup Cozy: I have a whole drawer full of Koozies at my house, none of which are quite as cute as this cup cozy from Catherine Mason. I have the pineapple crush cozy, but I’m eyeing this flirty flamingo as well.

Hat: I love my big summer hats as seen all over my blog, but I’m feeling this smaller Panama hat from J. Crew right now. P.S. it’s 30% off with the code GETSHOPPING.

Sunscreen: Pale people can’t go outside without their sunscreen. If I don’t have it on, odds are I will burst into flames within a few minutes of being in the sun. I like the Panama Jack line. I bought this in the gift shop at our resort in Jamaica after I ran out of whatever I brought, and it’s the best stuff I’ve ever used. I was in the Jamaican sun for four days and didn’t burn once! Plus it smells good, almost like a Pina Colada…

A book: I feel like it’s against the law to be poolside without a book. Right now I’m reading Me Before You. I feel like I’m the last blogger in the world to read it, and I want to get it done before I see the movie.

Self-Tanner: Because I’m so pale, I have to have a little help achieving my summer glow. I love spray tanning. You can read my Versa vs. Mystic review here. Although sometimes, you just need a quick fix. That’s where self-tanners come in. My favorites are Fake Bake Flawless and Tan Towels. Both achieve a great natural glow without streaking or orange color.


What are your favorite pool essentials?