MENU IDEAS. I pulled together a giant round up of my favorite grilling and BBQ recipes at the beginning of the summer and it’s full of ideas for this weekend’s celebrations! A few of my favorite ways to kick off the holiday weekend menu are with a patriotic chips and dip platter, colorful strawberry and goat cheese crostini, and cups of a marinated olive and tomato bruschetta. Don’t forget a signature cocktail too – I am mixing up batches of spiked raspberry mint lemonade!
WHAT TO WEAR. I am most excited for the annual pool party we go to at my bestie/neighbor’s house. She throws the most spectacular party every year (it’s her birthday!) and we eat and swim all day long. Jane has the most adorable patriotic bathing suit to wear with stars and stripes, and I got a cozy new blue and white striped sweater I plan to wear over my favorite red tee!
PATRIOTIC DESSERTS. I go in full-out berry mode for summer desserts which are perfect for the 4thof July with their red and blue tones. I always rely on my no-bake recipes likemini berry marscapone cakes, and a layered berry crème puff trifle. If you’re up for turning on the oven, my all-time favorite summer dessert is my grandma’s famous blueberry cobbler recipe. Or if you’re looking to cool down for dessert, make a batch of homemade berry popsicles and serve them in prosecco! Of course anything that is served over the holiday weekend must be topped with an American flag toothpick or a red, white and blue straw — those are the rules.
FESTIVE DIYS. My newest 4th of July entertaining idea is an easy DIY for customizing your picnic table place settings – stenciled patriotic napkins with cute Americana-themed phrases! I also love to pull out my red and blue bandanas for tons of easy DIY projects like making a no-sew table runner, or using them to tie up cutlery for your picnic. If you’re heading to the beach, try a DIY pom-pom beach bag to keep your book, towel and sunscreen toting in style!
