America, the Beautiful

Break out your swimsuits and the barbecue gear because it’s officially Independence Day weekend! Check out this inspiration board chock-full of red, white and blue ideas to make your 4th of July celebration a beautiful one.

Now, I don’t know about you, but I believe that celebrating outdoors is quintessential for the 4th. So jazz up your old picnic table with some patriotic stripes {Martha Stewart}, decorate the outside of your home with star-spangled felt pennants {Chica and Jo} and let everyone know where they’re sitting with these adorable party hat place holders {Country Living}!

Here’s to hoping that some beautiful sunshine graces us this weekend!

Image Credits:

1. 4th of July Felt Pennants: Chica and Jo

2. Silverware Setting: Martha Stewart

3. Striped Picnic Table: Martha Stewart

4. Red and White Carnation Balls: Country Living

5. Tissue Paper Fans: Martha Stewart

6. Party Hat Place Holder: Country Living

Foods for the Fourth

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. The fact that we get to celebrate our great nation and its forefathers with a day-long celebration complete with our family and closest friends makes me smile. Aside from the true meaning of this great holiday, the 4th of July is a day filled with food, fun and FIREWORKS! Personally, my favorite of the three is food!

What I love so much about the different foods for the fourth is that they are all classic American treats. Plus, I love the fact that it gives us all a reason to deck out our favorite foods in red, white and blue! This 4th of July inspiration board is filled with goodies you can try recreating for your Independence Day festivities. From the “surprise inside” American Flag cake {17 And Baking} to the yummy looking cheesecake in a jar {My Baking Addiction} to the classic pigs in a blanket {My Recipes}, there is definitely something here that every member of your 4th of July bash will love.

I hope you have a ball serving up all of this patriotic goodness at your celebration! Enjoy the holiday!

Image Credits:

1. American Flag Cake: 17 And Baking

2. Patriotic Berry Cupcakes: Martha Stewart

3. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels: Cupcakes and Cashmere

4. Star Spangled Banner Sundae: My Recipes {featured on Allyou}

5. S’mores Cookies: Martha Stewart

6. Cheesecake in a Jar: My Baking Addiction

7. Red, White and Blue Sprinkles: Cupcakes and Cashmere

8. Patriotic Pigs in a Blanket: My Recipes {featured on Allyou}

DIY Father’s Day Gift

Do your kids often find Dad sitting comfortably in his favorite chair reading a book? Does your dad always ask for the latest Sci-Fi novel for his birthday or the holidays? If so, then he’s one cool dad! Give him the gift of a stylish reading accessory with this shirt-and-tie magnetic bookmark from Martha Stewart.

This DIY tutorial is easy to follow, making it a simple craft for kids to complete and proudly give to Dad as a gift this Father’s Day. All you need to make this magnetic shirt-and-tie bookmark is paper, a pair of scissors and self-adhesive magnets.

To see the full tutorial and begin creating a creative bookmark that every reader will love click HERE.

It’s Time to Celebrate Dad!

This year, Father’s Day is on June 19th. Here is some inspiration that will help you throw Dad (Grandpa, brother, or uncle) a fun outdoor celebration that we’re sure he’ll enjoy.

It’s summer, so what better way to celebrate Dad than by celebrating in the sun?! A pool party would allow Dad to let loose and have a blast in an easy going and informal setting. The beer pops by Bakers Royale are a great (and tasty) way to cool off in the heat. The pulled pork cupcakes by The Bleeding Heart Bakery, little slider cupcakes (They look so realistic!) by Smiley’s Sweets and Creations, and the eight layer dip by Martha Stewart are delicious munchies that are sure to keep Dad full and content.

But, if Mother Nature isn’t too kind to us on Father’s Day, this party can easily be transferred indoors and celebrated with just as much enthusiasm!

Image Credits:

1. Pulled Pork Cupcakes: The Bleeding Heart Bakery

2. Eight Layer Dip: Martha Stewart

3. Beer Pops: Bakers Royale

4. Little Slider Cupcakes: Smiley’s Sweets and Creations

5. Outdoor Table: Southern Living

6. Outdoor Camp Lantern: Remodelista

7. Pool: My Maui Blog

Classic Red, White and Blue Centerpiece

Etsy seller FlowerThyme creates beautiful and colorful paper flower bouquets at an incredibly affordable price. The light blue and pretty red color of this particular bouquet drew me into her shop.

Isn’t this bouquet so pretty? Each flower is handmade using cardstock and then attached to cloth covered floral wire. The color of these flowers will go great with any patriotic party. And with Memorial Day coming up, I think this bouquet would make a beautiful centerpiece.

Find this light blue and pretty red bouquet HERE.

Image Credits:

FlowerThyme

Stylish American Flag DIY Shirts

What’s better than your kids displaying their patriotism on cute shirts you made for them this Memorial Day? You and your whole family displaying their patriotism on cute shirts you made for them!  Sorry if that was a little redundant, but you get the point, right?

This fabulous tutorial from Make it and Love it (found via Tip Junkie) is easy to follow and will help you create 2 versions of the American Flag shirts pictured above. A pretty, girly one with ruffles and a plain version with straight lines. Each can be made quickly. The recipients of these creative shirts will love that you took the time to make them and that they now have a one-of-a-kind shirt. These American Flag shirts are also perfect for Memorial Day this Monday. Let the craftin’ begin!

Click HERE to find out how easy these stylish shirts are to make.

Image Credit:

Make it and Love it

Festive Cupcake Crayons

I’m so excited to share this product with you! These handmade crayons are not only unique, but the color and cute cupcake shape is perfect for the kiddies on Memorial Day!

I just love these crayons by RedElmDesign. They’re simple and festive! Imagine how happy your kids will feel coloring and creating new works of art with them. You can even turn their patriotic artwork into place mats, by easily laminating the paper, that can be used at your Memorial Day BBQ. They’ll take so much pride in their work knowing their art will be displayed for the whole family to see. What a great way to incorporate your family into the celebration.

Image Credit:

RedElmDesign

Patriotic DIY Toppers

With Memorial Day right around the corner (Psst, May 30th!), I’m here to make sure your party is beautiful, fun and stylish! This quick DIY project is just the cutest thing and I know it’ll wow your guests.

These toppers are super easy to make. You’ll need dowel sticks, scissors and ribbon in different colors and patterns. When the toppers are finished and in place, they’ll add pizzazz to your favorite desserts and foods! The best part is that you can make them in no time.

For the full tutorial, click HERE.

Image Credit:

Style Me Pretty

A Memorial Day BBQ

Can you believe May is almost over? Time flies! I’m here to give you some inspiration that is sure to make time stop while you share unforgettable moments with your family and friends. What better way to celebrate than with a Memorial Day BBQ?!

Isn’t this amazing?! The great benefit of these decorations is that you can use them inside your home or outside in your backyard or local park. Although, I hope the weather is so beautiful you’ll be forced to celebrate outside! It’s summer after all. Just look at those yummy desserts and gorgeous table setting! What’s super great about these desserts and decorations is that you can easily create them with your family and friends. How fun!

Which photo inspires you the most? Do you plan on hosting a Memorial Day BBQ?

Image Credits:

1. Crepe Paper Runner: Good Housekeeping

2. Red, White and Blue Parfaits: Martha Stewart

3. Sand Candles: Martha Stewart

4. Fruit Kabobs: Creative 2x Mom

5. Star Ornaments: The Shabby Chic Cottage

6. Star Medallions: Martha Stewart

7. Front of House Decorations: A Blissful Nest

8. Apple Pie: BBC Good Food

9. Lemonade Mason Jars: Yummy Wedding Food

10. Red, White and Blue Floral Arrangement: Design*Sponge

Let’s celebrate Earth Day and Easter

As I was doing my Pinterest visit the other day, I came across a pretty neat idea–egg shell planters. I think it is the perfect craft project to celebrate Earth Day as well as Easter.

Enjoy!