4th of July Party Ideas

Fourth of July Party Ideas

Oooo, this is one of my favorite holidays for so many reasons.

Inspiration.

Gratitude.

Patriotism.

And here are some of the pretty reasons that

I love our Nation's birthday {via Pinterest}:

Source: singingintherain.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: asoftplace.net via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: marthastewart.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: nicolehill.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: twigandthistle.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: myjuicecup.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: floramcflimsy.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: afieldjournal.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: hostessblog.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: marthastewart.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

 

Source: tastefullyentertaining.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Ashley on Pinterest

We're having a small family BBQ this Independence Day. 

Burgers and Hot Dogs.

Watermelon.

Baked Beans.

Coca Cola.

Kiddie Pool.

Sparklers.

What are your holiday plans?

Four Course Summer Dinner Party

Four Course Summer Dinner Party

Honestly, I'm drooling even as I write this post.

Last night I had a BLAST.

There was yummy food.

There was tear induced laughter.

There was even a choking incident on a giblet of corn--you know when you are enjoying your food a bit too much and you inhale deeply before completely chewing...and a large chunk of food seems to impale the back of your throat, and soon after embeds into your lung...

yeah, that happened to my dear friend last night.

It was good times.

I was invited to join a dinner party group--called Karrot Sticks.

Basically, it's a group of 10 super rad and bodacious ladies that leave the kiddos home for one evening every month to enjoy some fine dining in the comfort of a hosts beautiful home. 

We divide into groups of two, and every month one group is responsible for creating and hosting a 4-course meal--appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert.  You even get to pick a theme.

Last nights theme was "Welcome Summer".

And it turns out, I'm quite a fan of summer food.

 ~ The Menu ~

Appetizer: Pomegranate Spritzers, Prosciutto Cantaloupe Bites

Salad: Tomato & Watermelon Salad

Main: Mar-a-Lago Turkey burger with Mar-a-Lago Pear Chutney, Sweet Potato Fries with Sour Cream Dipping Sauce, Grilled Corn

Dessert: Blueberry-Plum crisp with Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

You know you're enjoying your night out when the sun is up when you arrive, and down when you leave. 

And just as a reminder that all things beautiful, take lots of hard work.

Thank you, thank you to Amy and Nicki for hosting such a fabulous evening.

My partner Brittney and I are up in August, and we still need to come up with a theme and menu...

any ideas?

Vintage Baseball Party

Vintage Baseball Baby Shower

{in case you were wondering, it was a big HIT}

Get it, "hit", as in home run?!

A dear friend of mine is preggo with her second little boy, and it's safe to say that their boy-filled home is a bit crazy about all things sports.

But rather than throw the typical "sports" themed party, Nina {of Momma Go Round} and I decided to spice things up a bit with a vintage inspired theme.

Oooooo, Ahhhhh!

Here is our glorious invitation designed by none other than NINA {mad design skills, I tell ya}.  She even sells these invites for a crazy cheap price in her Etsy shop {along with nearly ALL the other printable decor you'll see at this party}.

BTW: We realized {after the invites had been printed}, that we forgot to include the time. Oooopps! So Nina threw together this filler card, lol.

We used my kitchen table to set up all the typical yummy sweets found at a baseball game {and then some}.

Accented with a "Concessions" banner.

Outside we set up a few little "conversation areas" with baseball themed treats for our guests to snack on.

Gotta have Red Vines, Baby Ruth's Boston Baked Beans and Big Chew at a baseball game, right?!

These puppies make me smile--cupcakes have that effect on me.

Especially cupcakes with homemade frosting and scalloped toppers {also found in Nina's shop}.

 And check out this fabulous baseball diamond shaped fruit platter, designed by the guest of honors Momma! How creative is that?!

Now DON'T look too closely at these janky chocolate Oreo's that are supposed to look like baseballs.

Apparently my pastry design skills are sub par.

Gotta have Cracker Jacks at a game!

And cotton candy, of course!

We served a light lunch, baseball themed of course!

We whipped up these hot dogs and wrapped them in foil, Dodger stadium style. 

We found these adorable mini coke glasses at the dolor store {2 for $1} and knew we HAD to find a way to incorporate them. I cut down the straws to fit in the cups.

 Nina whipped up these water bottle labels for the perfect finishing touch to our beverage table {also available in her shop}.

 We made a banner that said the last name of the baby and then "field".

For added effect, I turned on my patio "mood lighting", lol.

Closer look at the cupcake toppers.

  

I made 3 of these Pom Pom's using this wonderful tutorial from Organize and Decorate Everything.

And that pretty much sums up our fab party!

Like I said, it was a home run!

Head over to Momma Go Round for more about this baseball party!

Party On!