The Weekend Recap of a Pretty Perfect Fourth!

Usually I don't do a post on Sunday but I wanted to wrap up the end of this week with a recap because this July Fourth weekend took me by pleasant surprise! To be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to this one just because of a few recent changes in my life and the memories that my favorite holiday holds with that - however it turned out to be quite perfect. 

Due to my family's recent move away from downtown (and the hundreds of boxes still sitting around our house) the Fourth was going to be inevitably more low-key than before. My Friday was spent sleeping in a bit, unpacking a few boxes and then finally putting on the Red, White and Blue to meet up with some family friends that had come into town. Later that night I met up with a friend that I hadn't seen in a while and enjoyed some fireworks in a place I wouldn't have expected a year ago. It was absolutely wonderful catching up and I'm sure a post is going to come soon about the joys of that. Taking the time to meet up with old friends is such a gift and I'm happy that it got to be on the Fourth.

Saturday was spent painting bookshelves that will soon be lining the wall of my new room! Let me tell you, those puppies are big!! Can't wait till another post that will show you the finished product of all my handiwork to get my room completely finished! Boy it's been a task but it will be so worth it when it's down! To cap off Saturday, my family ended up going to a nice dinner pond side and the family time was a treat!

The night finished off, of course, with fireworks! Here are some of the photos that, my brother and I took, playing with exposure and writing (failing) with sparklers. Hopefully we can perfect this soon!

All in all, I could not have been more surprised, but more importantly, more happy with how this Fourth of July weekend turned out. I'm all about the happy days and these were what it's all about. 

Hope everyone's Fourth was as subtly splendid as mine!

Emily

Happy, Happy Fourth of July!

Happy July Fourth!!! 

Hope everyone's day is full of parades, parties, striped shirts, red skirts, friends and fireworks! Bring out the Red, White and Blue and have a great day!!

~ Emily

Red, White and Boom! Looks for the Fourth!

With the week rolling right on into Friday, today I'm bringing you some easy, breezy and patriotic looks for this very special holiday! Here in the South, the temperature is usually sweltering on the Fourth and with a day consisting of walking around downtown, visiting outdoor barbecues and porch parties it is critical to have an outfit that is cool, in both senses of the word! For those sticky summer temps I always lean towards a breezy dress, not only is it simple to throw on but you look instantly pulled together and ready to go!

I am absolutely in love with all three of these dresses! Any of these would look perfect for this Friday but they're not too over-the-top Red, White and Blue that they wouldn't transition into everyday wear! They could easily be dressed up or down with jewelry and shoes. With the white dress from Ruche I paired it with {these} adorable Red Gap espadrilles to show a different way to style it besides with the simple flat sandals. This Friday I'm going to be opting out of any kind of heel, due to the amount of walking I'll be doing, so these two pairs of sandals from J.Crew {here and here} would be the perfect choice!

Each of these dress and shoe combinations feature just the perfect amount of Red, White and Blue to be a classy choice for the Fourth. The combinations apart easily slide right into your closet to be paired with other individual pieces! (I'm dying to add a bright orange necklace to the white dress and some leather ankle boots with the Red A-line!) Whatever you decide to wear on the Fourth make sure your reppin' your USA pride with some style and stay cool in these steamy temps.

What are you planning on wearing tomorrow?! Feel free to add your look in the comments! I'd love to check it out!
Emily

What to Take to a July 4th Cookout!

Don't get me wrong, the week of the year leading up to the 4th is great because of the USA themed music on the radio and the decorated downtown facades but the absolute best part of this great American week has to be the PARTIES! I'm talking about the outside, cutesy cookouts with sparklers and streamers and bunting! Ever since I was a kid this whole week has always been surrounded with grilled food and great friends (along with some colorfully decorated cakes)!

Whether you're throwing your own party this Friday, or simply trying to figure out what extra special red, white and blue something to bring to someone else's, I've pulled together of my few favorite tasty treats from Pinterest to give you a few solutions for your search!

To start off, {here} are some healthy options to tow along with you from cream-filled strawberries to watermelon and feta flags! Yum!!

Next, we're diving into the "not so healthy" but still insanely patriotic dishes that you're just going to have to try! I've never thought about Fourth of July tacos! This list contains everything from cake pops, to candy apples to a fresh salsa! Check it out {here}!

These next few items specifically caught my eye for their sheer deliciousness! I'm already planning on making this cake on Friday. Pictures to come!!

American Flag cookie cake? Yesssss, please!!! {here}

These icebox cookies {here} look so simple yet still so classic! They'd be the perfect thing to throw together as you're getting ready for the barbecue!

Last but not least, what better to wash down a stars and stripes iced cake than a cold and juicy sangria? {This} recipe had my mouth watering and it's such a refreshing (both in taste and originality) item to bring to a cookout! You'll have everyone asking for the recipe!

If you're not already, follow me on Pinterest right {here} to see some other party inspiration! All of these recipes have been Emily-approved in the categories of feasibility, festivity and price! Try out any one of these simple sides, desserts or drinks at your July 4th celebration and melt your guests away with something besides that sweltering summer heat! 

Do your July Fourth weeks center around cookouts and do any of these goodies spark your eye?!

Emily

Make A Splash on the Fourth!

Woot woot! July 4th is almost here which means sweltering temperatures, roadside sparkler buying and American flag bunting galore! I absolutely love this holiday and it is definitely in the running for my favorite because alongside parades, parties and bomb-pops, the Fourth always turns into a lakeside weekend or simply a weekend spent jamming out to All-American anthems by the pool.

This Friday I will be spending my day poolside at the club in this (unfortunately out of stock) Nanette Lepore swim suit from last year! I did look around for a few Red, White and Blue numbers to sport with my American flag towel and Bruce Springsteen playlist and J.Crew has hit it right on the money! I've never been one for the Stars & Stripes bikini, but if you're the girl that's ready to rock it they made their own classy take on it right here! I was surprised myself!

My favorite July 4th looks from their current swim collection are right below! I'm definitely more of a fan of the subtle hints of the USA and I think you can rock just as much American pride in a navy gingham one-piece as you can with a printed flag on a teeny triangle bikini!

Does anyone else have watery plans this Friday and could you see yourself stylin any of these suits?!

    


Getting so excited!
Emily