MAKE IT CUTE

There's just something so special about throwing a party in the summer. You're homework-free, noshing on delish bites while basking in the sun—and then there's the possibility of that cute lifeguard showing up. 

But when it comes to actually *planning* your splashy soirée? Well, yeah, it's easy to drown in all the DIY details. No need to call in the life raft: Whether you're all about the sweets or you want to do a little stargazing, we've got everything you need for a fête your friends will be fawning over the rest of the season. 

No-Pool Pool Party

THE INVITES: You've seen the trendy and tropical monstera leaves literally everywhere, so DIY your own mini fronds out of green cardstock for your invites (create a template and trace), write down the deets, then send 'em snail mail. Who should come? The more the merrier, so feel free to invite your school besties, your camp crew *and* your cousins. Just request that guests come prepared with their own towels so everyone's covered-literally. 

WHAT TO WEAR: Break out your best bathing suit (peep our faves on page 20), your sweetest slides (we heart the sparkly styles on page 28), your cutest cover-up and you're good to go. Slide on a pair of sunnies-and don't forget to slather on the SPF. Easy, right? 

WHAT TO EAT: Set up a make-your-own taco bar replete with rice and black beans, ground beef or turkey, corn and zucchini, cheese, lettuce and a slew of salsas. Then, load up your snack table with guac and chips, fresh fruit and salads. You'll need all the energy you can get before waging a serious water war. Speaking of... 

WHAT TO DO: Before your guests arrive, divide up the water balloons and Super Soakers between the guests. The only rule during a water right? That there are zero rules. For more fun: Get a slip-and-slide, too, or set a few sprinklers in the middle of your yard for an expert-level game of the classic Red Rover. If you're one of the lucky ones with an actual pool, go
old school with Marco Polo or start a water volleyball tourney. To set the sunny vibes, string up a DIY paper monstera leaf garland and grab a few tiki torches, then turn up the volume on all the Dua Lipa, Hayley Kiyoko and Zedd you can get your ears on. 

A version of this story originally appeared in the June/July 2018 issue of Girls' Life magazine. 

by Sydney Adamson | 7/16/2018