fun for the fourth

 are you entertaining this holiday weekend? or maybe just looking for a fun idea for you and your nearest and dearest while lounging outside...i'm obsessed with the notion of sangria pops...how fun! check out this website for a recipe for sangria pops and also bailey's pudding pops and mango lassi pops. 

i think using these examples, you could actually figure out how to make any number of cocktails in pop form. just remember what you're licking and don't get in the car! 

and can you believe this cake? unbelievable! glory from glorious treats does an incredible tutorial here that actually makes me think i could do this. i don't actually think i could do it, but you get the idea...

i'm also loving the idea of a lobster or clam-bake themed dinner. there's something so comforting about the idea of a down home summer party like that...everything can blend together in various states of match and mismatch and it all just signals a good time. i love martha's instructions for lobster place cards and these sweet boat bowls from wisteria would be perfect for the trappings of a fabulous summer meal.

ps...i also love one of these bowls on a key table for change or in a bathroom for summery soaps.

i'm not sure what could be more fun thank eating your delectables off these ikat melamine plates, also from wisteria, and i love the way they'd unexpectedly mix with the nautical theme, especially for a coastal evening. in either colorway, the look could be roughed up with these seagrass tumblers, perfect for wicking away condensation...the cardinal sin of an otherwise good time.

for drink ideas, how about a cucumber and lime gin fizz...how fun and summery does that sound? i gag at the thought of gin and even i think it sounds good. 

then again, i like any drink that involves the word fizz...do you remember my peach fizz from a couple summers ago? here are some other fun drink ideas. and more still, with a roundup of great glasses to boot.

 and for a hearty summer meal (or even a light one), no paper napkins will do. i love cloth ones and i usually find the cheaper the better. my personal favorite is the tekla dish towel from ikea that can be washed and washed and washed again, but i also love these options from crate and barrel and anthropologie.

and if you don't feel like bothering with dishes or glasses at all, the best option is a rustic, delicious display like this lovely image from frolic today and some bubbly in a can.

perfect.

stars and stripes forever

do you have anything patriotic planned for the weekend? i know sometimes it can seem like a chore, but i've come across some truly easy ideas to celebrate our nation's independence with what you serve and how you decorate. and i really do mean easy.

sometmes, it's just about going simple instead of fussy, and choosing certain colors for things you already plan to use or serve to create an americana vibe and it adds so much to the visual experience, which i always think translates to the emotional experience. if possible, use white servewear and dishes so that you can punctuate with patriotic colors elsewhere and they're not competing with a busy mish-mosh of patterns and colors. if you're in the market for a basic white set, see this post for some ideas of where to buy.

and if red, white and blue feels too kitschy for your taste, go red and white or blue and white - they're both appealling and cheerful summer color stories and allow so much room for personal touches everywhere. to me, the trick is to limit the bold patterns to one or two items and go monochromatic (in your color scheme for the rest).

here are some thoughts.

one of my favorite bloggers jackie fo posted this stars and stripes cake among other great ideas here, and although above is a betty crocker recipe, it could be easily accomplished with a store-bought sheet cake and some berries. doesn't it pack a lot of visual punch considering how easy it is?

and there isn't much simpler than this berry and yogurt parfait (i think i'd sub in fat free whipped cream for the yogurt) - totally communicates a love of america sweetly, doesn't it?

this recipe for icebox cheesecake looks a little more...involved than i'd be game for, but i love the idea of topping a pre-made cheesecake with abundant red and blue berries. so pretty!

and the simplest of all summer desserts is the idea of basic angel food cake (either slices or individual shells)topped with berries and whipped cream.

the variation below looks more involved than it is...just cut an angel food cake into squares and toss in a clear bowl with berries and whipped cream. so easy!

for more crafty and delicious ideas, check out jackie's post - seriously, you'll thank me. she's awesome. now back to me...

i'm not normally a fan of bright red solo cups because i think you can do so much better for the same price with clear or craft colored paper goods, but for a festive 4th, or really any patriotic barbecue-type vibe, i'm a fan. and a red and white checked tablecloth, either a fabric one like the one below or a disposable one, can communicate lots of relaxed summer feeling in one punch.

if you're out and about, look for these good buys, or similar items at your local drugstores, big box stores, etc.

from pier 1, i think these rattan stars are really nice, and even when you're not going red and white blue, you can use each color separately to add interest to many tablescapes or room decors.


and i love these little pinwheel picks - perfect for appetizers and other finger foods, while their larger counterparts are perfect for sticking in the grass or arranging in a vase for a festive and different centerpiece. by choosing the red and blue versions, you automatically get some 4th of july patriotism into your decor.

if you'll be passing by crate and barrel, consider their sparkle picks and star plates and napkins.




if you'll be in the vicinity of target, their metal oval beverage tubs are on sale for $9 each and come in red, white and blue, among other colors.

and i adore these very classic, very americana velvet bows. don't they evoke such a feeling? place one on your front door, or one on each corner of a buffet table for maximum impact.


but of course, nothing evokes more of an americana, classic vibe than laughter and time well spent with people you love. have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend and i'll see you back here on tuesday.

top image from country living, all other images from linked sites

happy weekend!

i hope whatever your weekend plans are, you'll be able to include some pure enjoyment with the true arrival of spring in most places (except the rockies...what do you mean SNOW?). i'm looking forward to trying to make a little place for myself on my new balcony...you might remember what a haven my old balcony was, and i really do miss it. but it's a new season, full of possibilities and a new outdoor space to create and love.

we're starting our weekend with dinner at this restaurant with mitchell's aunt and uncle, so we'll be in good company. (and the restaurant doesn't look bad either).

i'm looking forward to a manicure and am debating between going light (sheer petal, to be exact) or dark with an OPI color like my private jet, which is a dark, glittery charcoal. my inspiration is this picture of khloe kardashian...hers is this deborah lippmann color, but my private jet might do the trick. do you think if i splurged for the $16 lippmann color, khloe's bling would come with it? what are your mani plans?

and while we're on the idea of dark...check out these beautiful pictures from an all black and white wedding...not sure i'd go that way, but it sure is gorgeous to look at.

i also encourage you to read this insightful, thoughtful post from one of my favorite blogs, concrete magnolia, about the wonder of blogs and the internet, as an addition to the magazines we all love so much. she's just such a lovely writer and i think you'd really enjoy her style.

since i already linked you to a song this morning, let's switch gears...check out this amazing youtube video of the creation of a totally incredible cake...in the shape of a dog. and it looks like a real dog, i tell you. the baker is elisa strauss of confetti cakes, and her work is highly regarded and pretty special to see. (she actually went to my high school and was a senior when i was a freshman, so i feel hometown pride for her too).

seriously, take a look around her website and marvel at it the fact that these are CAKES and not really a platter of sushi, a hat on top of a hatbox, or a toy train.

see this lobster? CAKE.

have a sweet weekend, and i'll see you back here on monday.

khloe photo from www.people.com, wedding photo from www.sty;emepretty.com, cake pictures from http://confetticakes.blogspot.com/

happy weekend!

is it winter? is it spring? aaaaahhhhh, it's like ping pong! well, it's the weekend, so who cares, right? what do you have planned?

doing anything for the oscars? how about baking some of these fun treats from bakerella? here's an oscar ballot if you want to lay down your bets...

doesn't this home look lovely? it looks like somewhere perfect for spending a long weekend reading, napping and having long talks. it's a little house on the family compound of one of the architects who designed this incredible house.

have a wonderful weekend, and i'll see you back here on monday.