Cool off on the 4th of July

Living in the Florida, one of the first things I think of my when I think of July 4th is....

****HOT!****

Then I think... How am I going to keep cool on the 4th?

Stay inside in the air conditioner!

 Yea, but that wouldn't be any fun for me or the kiddos.

So... how about giving the kids one of these!

and us adults can  sit in the shade with one of these... YUM!

{Patriotic Popsicle  and Watermelon Blaster}

 

Keep Cool!

{4th of July} on the Menu

Here is a sneak peek of the deliciousness that will be eaten at our

4th of July Celebration this weekend... YUM!

{Paula Deen's Lady Cheesy Mac  and Dry Rub Baby Back Ribs}

{Patriotic Trifle} 

{Red, White and Blue Cupcakes via Taste of Home}

{Sneak Peek} Lil' Firecracker's 4th of July Riverside Soiree

Here is a quick sneak peek of the

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Little Firecracker's 4th of July Riverside Soiree

These are the adorable outifits I ordered from Three Yellow StarFish

for the all the kiddos who will be at the party. Can't wait to see them on!

I can't believe the 4th of July is Sunday! I am so very excited!

{Inspiration into Reality}

I have been eyeing this amazing inspiration board from Snippet and Ink for a while now and they recently posted another board that took my breath away. 

I can't wait to use these inspirations this fall for a fun Bumble Bee Tea!

{amazing inspirations by Snippet and Ink}

STUNNING. UNIQUE... Oh So Shabby Chic!

 

Stunning. Unique. Perfection. Beautiful.

That doesn't even begin to describe this "Lemonade and Sunshine" party

designed by Jess at Pen N' Paperflowers.  I was in love from the first photo I saw and then the details of this perfectly styled soiree continued to blow me away as a kept reading.

I have a place in my heart for all things shabby chic and

 this made me love it that much more!

Here are a few of my most favorite details, the tin cans, the empty bottles

dangling from tree branches, precious favor buckets and coordinating lollies.

 

These precious lemonade sugar cookies were the perfect touch.

 

These are the kind of details that remind me how much I love what I do....

an old bird bath used to display frozen 

lemon sugar cookie ice cream & strawberry/lemon swirled italian ice.

And a Pink Cake made to perfection.

There are so many more details to catch over at Pen N' Paperflowers.

This party made me smile and makes me grateful for all the amazing

and talented artists out there that inspire me everyday.

Thanks Jess for letting me share your stunning party...

 Your daughters are very lucky to have the opportunity to learn

 from such a amazingly talented women.

CHEERS to Patriotic Cocktails

I am not really sure what compelled me to do a post on Patriotic Cocktails...

Maybe the sweltering HOT 100 degree Florida weather or

just the fact that I could really use nice cocktail and a day off. LOL
I will for sure be sipping on one of these on the 4th!

{INDEPENDENCE DAY COCKTAIL RECIPES}

RED FIZZ  .  WHITE SANGRIA  .  BLUE MARGARITA

{Photo via sheknow.com}

{RED FIZZ} 

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:

1 cup passion fruit vodka
1 cup cranberry juice

Champagne

Fresh cranberries

Directions:

Shake vodka and cranberry juice together with ice until chilled. Strain mixture into a champagne glass about 3/4 of the way full. Top with a splash of Champagne and a few berries.

{WHITE SANGRIA}
Makes 1 pitcher

Ingredients:

Vodka

Malibu

Ginger Ale

Raspberries

Blueberries

Mint

Directions:

Combine equal amounts vodka and Malibu in a large pitcher. Add in the fruit and let it soak in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. To serve, pour fruit mixture into chilled glasses and top with a splash of ginger ale.

{BLUE MARGARITA}

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:

1 ounce white tequila

1 ounce Blue Curacao

1 ounce fresh lime juice

Salt for garnish

Directions:

Shake tequila with Blue Curacao and lime juice in a shaker with ice. Dip rim of margarita glass in water then in salt. Pour drink in salt-rimmed glass and serve. You can also serve this drink frozen by pureeing in a blender with ice.

****************************************************************************
Check out these Patriotic Cocktails shown by Hostess with the Mostess from last year.

When I sat down to do this post on 4th of July Cocktails, I
realized it had already been done with perfection by HWTM

{Cocktail Inspirations via HWTM}

1. Fourth of July Cocktail from Guy Fieri

A thin slice of jalapeno or serrano pepper adds a fiery kick to this tequila-based cocktail, which gets it's pretty colors from cranberry juice, watermelon schnapps, and blue curacao.
{via Food Network}


***


2. Strawberry Sucker
Strawberry schnapps, vodka, and club soda make up this sweet and fizzy afternoon drink. Add a skewer of blueberries for a splash of blue!
{via Rachael Ray}

***
3. Watermelon Mint Cooler
Ingredients
• 4 cups seedless watermelon chunks (about 1 pound)
• 1 1/2 cups lemonade
• 1/2 cup fresh mint
• blackberries for garnish (optional)


Directions
In a blender, puree the watermelon and lemonade; strain if desired.
Stir in the mint and serve over ice.
For an instant cocktail: Stir in 1/2 cup vodka or tequila before serving.
Garnish with a blackberries.
{via Real Simple}

***


4. Patriotic Margarita
This pretty drink gets it's striped look from a layer of blue HPNOTIQ Liqueur topped with a red layer made from strawberry puree, dark rum, coconut milk, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, and crushed ice.
{via Costal Living}

***


5. Red, White, and HPNOTIQ Blue Martini
Blue liqueur and grenadine give this citrus vodka-based martini it's patriotic flair. Garnished coconut adds a touch of white!
{via Bar None Drinks}

Sweets?... Indeed!!!

Pink  and Green will never get old!!!

 I am thrilled to show off this precious dessert buffet designed by Marie at Sweets Indeed, who by the way is so super SWEET! I am currenting working with Marie to create some super fun candy kabobs for my daughters' 4th of July party and a few upcoming parties in August. Marie creates and designs wonderful sweets and candy displays that are almost to gorgeous to eat. You have to take a look at her gallery on her website, it is full of sweet inspiration. Thank you Marie so letting me show off your brilliance.

{Sweets Table designed by Sweets Indeed and Photography by Pixel Studios}

ACME Party Box Grand Opening

Remember the Woodland Party Design from ACME Party Box I was so thrilled to show you?

Well, I am even more thrill to announce ACME Party Box GRAND OPENING!

You have to go check out all the awesome and

completely unique party decor they have waiting for you!

ACME Party Box Company delivers hip and easy eco-responsible parties to your door.

How can you not love that?

ACME offers Party Packages complete with letterpress invitations, linens, favors, tableware and centerpieces! They also offer custom party design for kids, adults and corporate events.

 

The incredibly unique kids party designs are perfect down to every detail...

and you all know how much I LOVE detail!

 They have all the most popular themes right now... Circus, Woodland and a collection they call Kingdom, which is much like the dragon theme that I know is so popular for the boys

Now this is my favorite part!

As much as I like kids parties... I LOVE a party just for us grown ups!

 Take a look at their at few of their Grown Up Party collections!

I adore this fabric in their Wedding Shower Collection.

The color combo in their Baby Shower Collection is one of my favorite combinations.

I am very excited for ACME Party Box and all they have to offer, so head over to their shop and

{PARTY.RINSE.REPEAT}

Kathy, I wish you the best of luck with ACME Party Box. Your designs are Perfection!

{All photography courtesy of Nicole Hill Gerulat}