All American Family

One of my favorite holidays is quickly approaching! Seriously, I am in awe that the 4th is right around the corner. The month of June has totally escaped me {with good reason}! I loved pulling together some All American inspiration to get everyone's wheels turning for the upcoming celebration of America. We all definitely deserve some fun summertime treats, right?

classic polo // shorts // necklace

tie front shirt {I need this! love the tie front} // eyelet skirt // wedge

rug // doormat // radio  {this is perfect for the beach} // float {it is the summer of the float, right? Everyone needs one} // beach bag // wine $ {for your wine money...love it}

shorts {we love these boys shorts too!} // check shirt {ordered this!} // rash guard {I love rash guards for kids} // flutter shortie {ordered this as well, I can't wait for Weeks and Frances Ann to match!} // denim mary jane // 2 piece set {do they make this in big girl sizes? prob not as cute ;) }

Lots of Fourth Goodies...

Ok, with continuing on the Fourth of July goodness...

Here are a few foodie ideas that I would love to try out this year:

I love this idea for an easy chip and dip platter that keeps things festive with colorful chips! 

Dress up your shrimp cocktail with easy tinsel...

another festive appetizer {I love appetizers more than real food, can you tell?}

Did you miss my Five Minute Decor post for the Fourth? Here is a peek...

And I'm still loving the dresses seen here...

magensia strapless dress {on sale} / arrowprint dress {on sale} / zig zag shell / twist back dress

And everything here too!!

terry sweatshirt and shorts / striped tote / sunshower drops / rattan clutch / tortoise sunnies /

 striped shorts and top / chambray fedora {on sale!}

And a few favorite posts on the Fourth from years past....

All Things Fourth of July {great roundup of fun refreshments!}

Cool Whip Cookie Cake {Pleaseee make my favorite summer dessert!! PS- Seldon, I'm looking at you!}

....and a great refreshing margarita recipe... {not necessarily specific to the Fourth, 

but its a great drink!}

Have a safe and fun Fourth of July and 

don't forget about those who devote their lives to our freedom!

Five Minute Fourth of July Decor

I had an all time productive naptime this weekend and have a few quick things to show from it. Truth be told, since we have bought this house I have been sucked into the "big" projects so it was fun to finally do something fun and quick without feeling the guilt of not accomplishing something bigger.

Once upon a time I loved to decorate for holidays {like every single one!!} but now I have found I don't have the time to do as much for each one so some smaller holidays get paired down. In my mind, the Fourth of July should not be one of those! Actually, some summers we are so busy at the time and end skipping right over it because we are celebrating elsewhere, and I hate the fact that I didn't dress up my whole house in red, white and blue. This year I finally did a little American spruce up in the kitchen and I am loving it.

I remembered seeing an ad from Michaels earlier on in the week and the sparkler ideas stuck with me. Michaels sells a tinsel/star garland {all on sale now} that I cut into about 5 inch pieces and simply hot glued in a loop on to the end of a dowel. {I had leftover dowels from an old sunburst mirror}

Seriously, how cute are they!?!

 

Now normally, I am not a tinsel type of person, but it seems appropriate and fun for the Fourth. Very American. I added the sparklers to a trophy vase {clearance at Hobby Lobby!} and added red, white and blue straws to a floral blue and white vase. The little American flags are so cute but they will be perfect for an appetizer later on in the week. Recognize the Lilly for Target tray? I love it. 

They were so easy I ended up making enough to go in white jars over our sink too...

This ledge is the perfect place to let tomatoes sit and ripen and you can find a stack here almost every day of the summer! 

This year I am remembering even more how important our American flag is...thank God for the red, white and blue. It's the flag that all of our soldiers fight for, fight under, and look to....it is what we all unite under. We went out and finally bought an American flag that is proudly waving outside our house, and also got a little mini American flag that is garden size. Love it so much! 

If you missed my post of ideas for dressing for the Fourth, see here {lots of good stuff over there!!} What are you doing to celebrate and get ready for this American holiday? 

Fourth of July Recap + Birthday Wishes

We ended up spending the entire week + some at the beach house last week. We knew we would be over there a lot with most of my family in town and we just ended up staying all week! It's hard to turn down a week on the water with lots of additional babysitters, right? It's much more than that though. I appreciate the family breakfasts, lounging on the porch in your pj's, happy hour, sandy flip flops and beach towels, quilts to curl up in for the evenings, the collaboration to cook dinner, the sea breeze especially at sunset, and the love of everyone with you. Here's a few snapshots of our Fourth...

hydrangeas + chardonnay

I swear he has already changed so much in a week! His hair is so much longer this week! Craziness.

Cupcakes + Cool Whip Cookie Cake 

And, last but not least, a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear sweet hubs. You are my rock, my best friend, a wonderful father to my baby boy, and I'm so lucky to call you mine. I can't wait to enjoy the {several} days of birthday celebrations to come. All my love honey! xoxo.

Friday Finds: All Things Fourth of July

I LOVE the Fourth of July. Is it just me or does everything Fourth of July seem to incorporate all of our favorite things? Celebrating America, family fun, great food and then the cocktail and cool whip Gods unite for an extra dose of fun. Seriously, cool whip is a must for the Fourth, am I right?

First things first, I wouldn't mind trying this white wine sangria. We had a sangria a few weekends ago and it was pretty good- I only had it once before! What is your favorite sangria recipe? I like that this one uses fresh berries to top it off.

While we're at it, who doesn't love a poptail? These cocktail coolers look so refreshing after spending the day on the beach. Make them this weekend so you have a treat waiting in the freezer on Thursday! 

There are so many good desserts out there that look beautiful for the Fourth. However, the simplicity of this one caught my eye. The link doesn't provide a recipe but we can assume all we need is pound cake, cool whip and fresh berries for this yummy treat!

The American tablescape looks so pretty and peaceful. I love the blue and white dishes. I must get myself some blue and white dishes- it's on my list.

If Weeks was eating big boy food, I would so make him these pancakes. Ok, I might ask my Dad to make him them, because he is usually the one in charge of breakfast when we are all together. Next year Weeks, you get Fourth of July pancakes! 

I'm linking up with the ladies of 5 on Friday- make sure to check it out!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! 

Fourth Recap

Happy Friday y'all! I have to say my week has been totally confusing with the holiday falling right in the middle of the week. Here we are again, gearing up for the weekend. Nope, I am not complaining! I mentioned in my last post our plans for the Fourth. We have a cookout on the waterfront and then watch the fireworks afterwards. Everyone is always in a such a fun mood and we always have a blast here! Major props to you ladies who had your recap up yesterday, things just don't work that quickly around here anymore! 

I made a bunting for the mantel last minute, DIY printable found here.

I made these Garlic Chicken Puffs to bring over to the party. Incredibly easy, and delish {lets be honest, anything with a crescent roll can't be too bad!} I stuck the flags in them for a little fun. They were so cute!

Prepping the BBQ. Call me biased but it is THE best I have ever had. He has secret sauce and all.

The star of the show!

I told you everyone is always in such a fun mood at this party. Here is example one. 

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

Excuse the nappy hair, humidity and wind are not my friends in the summer!

My sister also made these adorable and addicting cake pops, how presh are they? So patriotic for the 4th. We had a little too much fun eating them later but those pictures are not eligible for posting {lets just say, they are chocolate cake and the candy cover sticks to your teeth!} Too funny.

Ending the night watching fireworks over the water = perfect!

I hope you all had a fabulous time celebrating our wonderful country. We are so lucky!

Now, have a great weekend! xoxo.

Happy Fourth of July!

Country Home

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday for so many reasons. For the last five years I have gotten to enjoy this day at the beach, soaking up America's beautiful scenery while with friends and family. The last two years, hubs has cooked a pig all day, which we bring to a huge cookout with friends on the waterfront and watch fireworks. Our neighborhood at the beach also hosts a parade in the afternoon and everyone goes all out decorating their cars, bikes, golf carts etc. Most importantly, I am proud of our country and wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. What are your plans for the Fourth? Enjoy your holiday today! 

God Bless America.

Fourth of July Prep

created here

I don't know about you but, the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays of the year. Things are already starting to come together for some simple home decorations, which gets me particularly excited about this American holiday. I pulled together a little inspiration to get you in the mood as well.

 Happy Thursday y'all...almost, just almost the weekend! xoxo.

*image via instagram- find me missdixie30