DIY 4th of July

The 4th of July is a little over a week away and is one of our favorite holidays. It's the perfect summertime reason to gather friends and family for a laid back day of outdoor celebrating. If you're like us, you may be tempted to go over the top, but spending the days before stressing are certainly not on your summer agenda. Try a few of these simple yet creative ideas and you're sure to add that personal festive touch you love with minimal effort. Happy Independence Day America!

Keep your table decorations simple but pretty by weaving pieces of crepe paper. You could also do this with strips of fabric or pretty wrapping paper. As seen from Good Housekeeping



Mason Jars make a perfect re-useable glass for your guests and the home-made decorative paper tops will keep the bugs out of your delicious drinks while adding pizzaz. Instructions from Two Shades of Pink

These Red, White, and Blueberry Turkey sliders are sure to be a hit and are a nice twist on the traditional bbq fare. Recipe here.

Frozen water balloons keep drinks cold and are so much more fun than ice. Use only red, white, and blue balloons and you've added another Patriotic touch to your party. As seen from Home Confetti



Smores-on-a-Stick are the perfect make ahead festive treat. Get the recipe from The Idea Room



DIY printables are always a great way to personalize your party. We especially love these "Sparkler Holders" from Twig & Thistle



Keep your guests comfortable with these adorable and easy bandanna cushions. For the how to click here.

For more red, white, and blue ideas revisit our Memorial Day post Here

Gifts for Dad

Father's Day is only 3 days away, but it's not too late to get something great for Dad. Here are some ideas if you're stumped on just what to spoil him with this year. Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's out there!




Treat Dad with a new wallet made from baseball glove tanned leather. It's a gift that will last for years to come: Coach

Let Dad show his team spirit while he's doing his summer grilling with these sports team branders available for hot dogs or burger: Pangea Brands

For the Dad who loves to read. Books from his favorite genre like history are always a great choice: Barnes & Noble

If you're Dad loves beer, why not let him brew his own with this beer making kit: Williams-Sonoma



This portable multi-function foldable stool/tool bag is perfect for the outdoors Dad who likes to Garden. Uncommon Goods 

Oh Baby!

June, July, and August are among the top months for babies to arrive according to the U.S. CDC and the U.S. Census, so it's more than likely that you will be either hosting or attending a baby shower this summer. That means it's time to shop for that perfect gift! We all want to give something thoughtful, unique, and of course cute, so here are some ideas to help you out!

An extended family member shared these awesome towel/aprons with us and we've been gifting them every since! They allow you to stay hands free during bath time, and when it's over you just simply lift up your baby and wrap 'em up in this soft plush towel that keeps you dry and your baby cozy! Available in a variety of colors and patterns from Baby Wrappers.

Bibs are always a great gift and something that the mom-to-be will use over and over, so why not get her one of the coolest bibs out there? These adorable "bandanna" style drool bibs come a in variety of cool modern patterns and are handmade to last and last. Trying to match with a theme or color palette? Contact the creator and they'll be happy to custom make them in the fabric of your choice! Available from The Little Parasol.

Who can resist a pair of baby shoes?! Why not spoil the new baby with a pair of shoes that give back. For every pair of shoes bought, TOMS will give a pair to a child in need. With so many styles and colors to choose from you're sure to find a pair that's perfect, but we love this simple white canvas pair. Available from Tiny TOMS

A cute diaper bag that is equally functional is sure to have the mom-to-be thanking you for years to come. Voted number one by Parenting Magazine, the "Duo" easily converts from shoulder bag to stroller bag making it extra versatile. It features tons of storage and comes in some of the coolest modern patterns we've seen including a collection designed by Jonathan Adler! Available from Skip Hop

This little teether has been #1 for over 50 years for a reason. It's designed to facilitate development by awakening all of the baby's senses including sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. It's safe, made from 100% natural rubber, and just adorable! Sophie the Giraffe available at Amazon

Party Shoes

Wedges make the perfect summertime "Party Shoes" since they add style and height, but won't have you stuck sinking in the grass at your next backyard BBQ! We love the Trotolita from Christian Louboutin since they combine a variety of colors and textures making them extra versatile yet exotic. Go neutral with the black pair or a bit more bold with the gold ones! Available at Neiman Marcus

Wine and Dine

Summer is here and that means plenty of great opportunities to entertain. Summer soirees take a more casual approach which we love! When it comes to the menu, keep it simple and let guests help themselves with these cool wine and dine party plates. They allow guests to easily eat, drink, and mingle all at the same time!


The wine and dine plate is sophisticated and timeless: Crate and Barrel



Fun printed plates like this leopard one help add style to your party: Gifted Grape



Acacia wood wine glass toppers like these are perfect for small hors d'oeuvres: Catching Fireflies



Basic white plates like this are super durable and perfect for any occasion. Plus they're a steal at 4 for $15.50: Gifted Grape