JULY 4th FEAST!!!!

Any opportunity to make new foods and celebrate is a o k in my book!    I found some great festive food ideas for both snacks, desserts and drinks that I wanted to share.   Whether you're relaxing at home with family, hosting a big party or maybe attending a party, these ideas are super fun for both young and old.

Let's start with some refreshing drinks for both kids and adults...

Ultra festive and fun...this drink they call "Independence Punch" is cranberry juice, blue Gatorade, and Diet 7Up....click on the link below to find out how to make your own!

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Or how about just a drink of your choice with the addition of some festive berries in a Red Solo cup?   Red Solo cup, I fill you up....I couldn't resist.  Looks easy enough.

Who doesn't love Sangria....check this one out.

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Or maybe add a little pop to your drink by lining the edge with Pop Rocks?   A nice surprise...or not.

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On a hot day, what could be better than some festive fruit to cool off?   These are a few of my favorite ideas.  

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Add a few bananas for the perfect flag.

Of course we all know dessert is the most important part of the meal, right?  Or am I the only one who starts the meal by asking what's for dessert so I can plan accordingly???

Here are some fantastic and festive ideas.

While this may look hard, trifles can be unbelievably easy.  This looks like strawberries, Angel Food cake and blueberries with whipped cream.  Yum...and pretty too!

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Or you can skip the cake and just go for the fresh berries.  Festive and easy!!

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Or how about cupcakes or cake pops...

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Ice cream is always nice.  

This idea is so creative and super simple!

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And lastly...some candy and chocolate covered goodies. 

Simple, simple, simple.

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Wherever you land, whomever you're with and whatever you eat...I hope you have a wonderful July 4th celebrating America!!

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It's time for a PaRtY!!!

July 4th is quickly approaching and as I mentioned previously, it's a great excuse for a party!!!!  I love to celebrate summer, our country and be outside with friends and family enjoying fireworks.  Throughout our country it's a day to CELEBRATE!

I love all things festive in case you couldn't tell ;)    Here are some of my favorite ideas to dress up your home and/or a party for July 4th in all things red, white and blue!!

What better way to add some quick "fancy" to any area that with a banner or simple garland.

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Or maybe something a little simpler and handmade..that's my speed.  Just cut out felt circles and run them through a sewing machine..s.u.p.e.r simple!  Or you can buy them on etsy by clicking on the "source" link below the picture.

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Or this great paper chain that your kids can even help with.  This will be our decoration for sure!

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Or how about paper lanterns???

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And if it's your table you want to decorate...check out these fun ideas.

Table garland...

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Or this adorable handmade tablecloth with bandanas...genius!

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And of course every table needs a festive centerpiece.  Check out these beauties...

This topiary is fantabulous.

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And these tin cans are just too darn cute.

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This is just colored rice...couldn't be simpler.

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And of course Martha never fails...check out her handmade sparklers!

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And how about her sand candles..you go Martha (and her team of hundreds...lol)

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And last but not least...the perfect welcome to any home...a wreath.  

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Here is our door decor...the rest will be up by Monday latest! 

 I'll share and I also have some fun festive food ideas for you...stay tuned!!  We're only a few short days away from the big day!

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Can you believe it????

Can you believe that July 4th is a week from tomorrow?  Already???? How did that happen?   This summer needs to SLOW DOWN and quickly at that.   I always mark July 4th as the mid mark of summer.  Not sure why since it's really not midway, but for some reason I think of it that way.  Probably because by July 4th my family has finally gotten into the swing of things.

We always spend our July 4th at our beach club ALL DAY (weather permitting) and then eat dinner there and stay for the fireworks.   The fireworks in the town our beach club resides are FANTASTIC and we always enjoy this full day of festivities.  There is a street fair that goes on right on the boardwalk near our beach club as well and the kids love to go walk around and visit the vendors.

Here some pictures from our last few years...

2010 -  they were so little and I remember it was a HOT day!

2011 - A fun, fun day with friends!

I always look forward to a long day filled with laughs and great food.  I'm already planning my menu of beach ready things for this year.  I also love all things red, white and blue.  From clothing, decor, crafting to food....it's just another occasion to celebrate!  And...the best part, you can keep it all up to launch the Olympics and cheer on your USA team!!

Since I have sooo many fun ideas to share...I'm going to break it down into a few separate posts.  Let's start with fashion.   What to wear???

I love a fun festive outfit for July 4th (as you can tell from my pictures from the past 2 years).   Here are a few themed shirts/outfits I love.   Click on the source below any of these to take you to the online retailer selling them.... and, 90% of them are drastically discounted!  It used to be that you could only get Old Navy's themed shirts like my kids have on in both of the above year's pictures.  Look at all of the options this year!!!

For little boys...

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For big boys...

Hard to see, but it says "America Totally Rocks" and the ends of the stripes are guitars.

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For little girls...

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For big girls...

This one is a little hard to see, but it has sparklies all over it.

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And I adore these handmade ideas...

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And there's always just clothes that have red, white and blue in them.  How cute would any of these be?

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Of course it is equally important that you look festive for this great holiday!  Whether you're like me and casual watching fireworks or hosting your own super soiree...these dresses will be perfect!

I think I'll be making my own version of this for the big day.  I LOVE it!

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And last, but certainly not least....American flag nail art.  What could be more festive???

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Enjoy!   I have tons more to share tomorrow and the rest of this week so stay tuned as we approach the holiday!

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