some cute and tasty ways to celebrate our freedom

Happy Fourth of July, my fellow Americans! To celebrate the holiday, I thought I'd give you this link to a lovely gift from the Creature Comforts blog...FREE printable DIY bunting and cupcake toppers! There's still plenty of time to whip up something crafty for your Fourth decorations...and when it's this easy (and adorable), why not? Print them yourself and finish them in about half an hour.

The Fourth of July holiday always makes me think of these. Strawberries, blueberries, any berries. I think I'm going to make a blueberry pie for our barbecue. I tried this recipe last year and it was scrumptious! Usually I make something different for dessert each year, but this time I'm thinking...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Finding myself so thankful for the freedoms in this country. Have yourself a splendid holiday weekend!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!!

For more of my Fourth of July posts, read here and here and here.

I hope you have a beautiful holiday, spent with good friends, family, and maybe some good food too. Happy Birthday USA!

Summer Decorating Inspiration

Today I thought it would be fun to show some inspiring photos of spaces that have been decorated in red, white, or blue (or some combination of these colors). I was browsing bhg.com and was loving what I found. I chose interiors - and exteriors - that reflect a laid-back style...nothing too fussy...just crisp and clean and looking like summer.

Um, yeah, I'd live here. Wouldn't you? Look at that front porch!

These deep cobalt walls are pretty striking - but they work with the clean white upholstery in the room.

Whoa, that's a lot of stripes on that porch, huh? But somehow they all work together and end up being fun and relaxed.

I've always like blue and white pottery. It's really the star of the show here, with simple white walls in the background. It can be traditional, Asian, or beachy.

Note the red mats around the pictures on the wall. That's a neat touch. I also like the red toile seat cushion cover on the chair.

Here are some dramatic blue walls again...not quite as dark as the last blue room, but dramatic all the same. It's a few more patterns than I would normally put together in one room - but somehow this Bohemian look really works here.

My favorite part of this room...the vintage sheets they used as chair covers! And more blue and white pottery.

In this mostly white entry, the blue and white bowl with the red apples stands out perfectly. This looks calming to me, and I almost feel like I can smell the salt air from the ocean, which is surely only a few steps away!

What a relaxing guest room this looks like. Sweet and simple.

And, okay, forget the first house I showed you...can I live here instead? Instead of a front yard they have a BEACH...instead of a street they have the OCEAN...instead of a view of their neighbor's house, they have a view of the SUNSET OVER THE WATER.

Let's all just close our eyes and pretend we're here for a moment...just a moment...

The ocean breeze smells wonderful, doesn't it?!

(all photo credits: bhg.com)

Fourth of July Inspiration

So today I've collected a few links from my favorite entertaining sites; they all had fabulous posts recently on decor, food, and drinks for your Fourth of July celebration. Just looking at their photos is inspiring, but be sure to follow the links for more details.

I'm especially fond of the July 4th menu that Rebecca from Tastefully Entertaining put together. YUM!! I thought the Watermelonade and Blueberry Hill Cupcakes sounded particularly scrrrumptious. (Go to Tastefully Entertaining for recipes.)

Here's some lovely red-white-and-blue inspiration from Social Couture, via Hostess with the Mostess blog. Social Couture offers a whole party package where you can purchase everything you see here. It may be a bit late in the game for that now, but I still find lots of DIY inspiration in just looking at the photos. You can find little flags like this at The Dollar Tree (if they're not sold out by now, that is!)

This is Kim's inspiration board from Head of the Table. She put together lots of fabulous links to various projects from good old Martha. (You know, Stewart? She and I are pretty tight - we're on first-name basis.)

Many thanks to these entertaining women for their inspiration this week. BBQ...fireworks...good friends...good food...good company...here we come!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Patriotism

Liberty banner by BridgetMcKinley - love the vintage look!

A brief apology to my lovely international readers...I understand you won't fully appreciate the fab finds this week, since July 4th - Independence Day - is a uniquely American holiday. (A special apology to my British friends. :-) I was in England once over the Fourth of July and my friend Jane (as British as can be), felt the need to remind me, "Well, we won the War of 1812!") Anyway - the fact remains that the upcoming Fourth of July is a favorite holiday for many Americans, and as with all of our holidays, there are plenty of ways we can decorate, dress, and entertain.

patriotic cuppies (in sets of 12) by yummycuppycrafts

You all know how much I love cupcakes. Not only are these cuppy wrappers perfect for your July 4th cupcakes, but yummycuppycrafts carries many other styles that would work for any occasion. They come in sets of 12 and there are all kinds of funky patterns! Afforable, too.

Yep, still thinkin' about cupcakes. Look at these vintage-inspired cupcake picks by RockabyeRetro. You get a set of 6. I'm loving all things vintage for this July 4th celebration, and this fits the bill with style.

Guess what? I'm still thinking about cupcakes. (Hungry, anyone?) If you're feeling crafty, print out this sheet of 1-inch round vintage patriotic images from mydigitaldaydreams and make your own cupcake picks! Or gift tags...or drink tags...or whatever your crafty little heart desires. Then send me photos of your creation. :-) (FYI - The photo at the bottom of this post is also from mydigitaldaydreams.)

For the little girl in your life...check out this adorable tutu and headband set from alexasboutique. Now, if only I knew a cute little girl or two. ;-)

Another great banner...I could make my own...or save time and energy and buy this one! It says "God Bless America" and is created by maryhadalittleparty (don't you just love that name?). I've discovered this shop is a fun resource for handmade banners, party favors, and packaging for parties.

For a little man in your life...this super cute overalls and hat set from littleguystogs. I love that this is a set. (Does the little boy come with it? 'Cause he's CUTE!)

This is a unique and fun idea for your Fourth of July celebration. It's a Party Cake by polkadotsandpetals made of individual boxes, each with candy inside. It's a centerpiece...no, it's a cake...no, it's the party favors! Mostly it's a big hit, just waiting to happen.

And you just can't have a Fourth of July party without...mosquitoes? Well, actually you can...with this set of 3 cute citronella soy candles, by WorthySoyCandles. They're so affordable you could get several sets and scatter them throughout your outdoor party space.

For the wee one...heh heh...just made me chuckle. Reversible bib by pinkbabyandpancho.

And, last but not least, more vintage images...this time in the shape of downloadable gift tags, also from mydigitaldaydream. But don't just think gifts...what about tied around the neck of a wine bottle? Incorporated into your invitations? Scattering them like confetti down the center of your table?

***Want more??***

Read here if you'd like to catch up on some of my past Friday's Fabulous Finds.

Read here if you'd like to see some of my before-and-after pics of interior redesigns (new ones coming soon...I'm booked up all summer!)

Read here if you'd like some tidbits on entertaining and parties.