There's so much fun to be had on the 4th of July. Between the family gatherings, decorations and food, it's a great time to celebrate!
Summer's big Independence celebration calls for creativity that you can pull off with ease.
Food for the 4th.
Well, of course I'm going to start with the food. It's the best of the holiday - making the delicious things for family, friends, or more importantly, maybe just for you!
There's so many options, from sweet and treats to lunch and dinner. The most traditional fare might be hot dogs or hamburgers. But there are plenty of opinions out there that BBQ might just be the one to steal the show. Anything grilled for that matter: corn on the cob, baby back ribs, brats/sausages, and chicken, too!
Desserts are aplenty. I think of southern sweets like a Red, White and Blue Trifle. I dunno, seems very American. But there's 4th of July pies, ice cream and yes, even ice cream sandwiches!
Make it your own, Mix and match to create a great spread! Choose a main, side, dessert and drink.
All you need is something fun. Something fruity. Something fire-y. Something flirty.
The 4th of July is such a fun time to go all out with decorations, from knickknacks around the house to a little more formal setups like setting the table. Dinnerware and serving trays complete the look and give it such a festive tone.
There are many looks that all would work on this day, from classic Americana to chic and elegant. There's the extremely casual style, perhaps with red, white and blue paper plates and plastic cups. Or a dressed-up table with a fancy centerpiece, glass pitchers and serving trays.
Then there's the matter of what you'll wear alongside the festive decorations. I saw this on the Target website and just about died. I love it: This lady'sSweet Tea and Libertyis just about the most perfect casual tank you can get. I decided to go classic Polo with a red, white and blue button up. See the look atRhoBack. Jos. A. Bank has thisTraveler Performance Tailored Fit 4 Way Stretch Short Sleeve Sportshirtthat's perfect for the 4th: it's comfy, it's classic, and most importantly, it'll keep you cool during the hot weather! Kyle recommends thisshort-sleeve flex performance shirtthat he picked up at Marshall's for around $12. Yes, you read that right!
I think it's best to just throw on a pair of flip flops and be done with it. But of course, there are options. I've been eyeingfloafersfor a while. So I might just pick a pair up pretty soon. They seem to be a perfect choice for the pool, a day out at the lake, going to a house party or just staying at home and grilling. The perfect summer footwear! Or go with a timeless white boat shoe.
Listen. Just about anything goes these days, from tanks to button-ups, t-shirts and anything between. The most important part is to feel comfortable and maybe, just maybe, match with some of your house decorations to make it look intentional without going too far out on a limb. It'll look styled and curated at a fraction of the cost - and time!
American Flag Dishes
American Flag Dishes from Williams Sonoma
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Lina Matte Bowls from Crate & Barrel
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Flag Star Shape Dish Snack Serving Plate from Target
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Americana Serving Tray from Amazon
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Rocco Blue Pitcher and Glassware from World Market
Decorate by shopping the house + selecting a few pieces for purchase
To make the 4th of July a true Matzy Platzy, it's kind of a mix of the easy stuff paired with a few pieces that are hand-selected by you.
One tip to decorating is... shop your house. See what you've got lying around the closets, baskets and bins, and even the garage. Chances are there are decorations from years past sitting around not being used. No sense in going to buy it again.
Next up, shop it. Get those few pieces that 1) fits your budget this year, 2) will go with your theme and 3) makes a statement. That way the pieces you purchase will be pretty visible and will complement the smaller things you likely already have.
For example, we have solid color dinner napkins on hand. Those will go nicely at the dinner table, and all we'd need to dress it up might be a little bit of ribbon and a centerpiece like a plant.
I'd say - well, actually, Kyle would say - that you do need a good 4th of July wreath on the door. If you're like us, you probably already have a standard year-round wreath hanging on the door right now! That means, all you need to do is get out some ribbon and perhaps a few small props that are appropriately themed and dress up that wreath to make it go with the rest of your style.
But really, it's all about family.
No matter what you cook or how you style - shoot, maybe you're just making the food and nothing else (and that's perfectly fine) - the one thing that really counts is being with the ones you love. Maybe that's your family. Maybe not!
This photo was taken long before I knew Kyle. But it's exactly what makes my heart smile when I think about my family. Luke looks so. young there! Heck, we all do.
So, happy Independence Day. May it be relaxing, reflective, styled and made just the way you like it.
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The right pair of summer shoes can make or break the day. So make sure they're up to the occasion, whether on land or on the water (or somewhere in between).
I've always been of the mindset that a lot of times, a decision isn't even needed. You know the right direction to go, even if it takes some time to get there. Things will work themselves out how they're supposed to go.
Summer's here and there's no better way to spend it than taking a step back, having fun, making bright summer meals for the family, and reading Matzy Platzy of course!
