4th of July Inspiration

With the 4th of July almost upon us, I wanted to share some inspiration to get us pumped and prepped for the holiday.  Every party/get together has three main elements: food, drinks and decorations, so I wanted today's post to cover all three.  Whether you're planning a party, going to one, or just relaxing at home, here are some ways to get festive for the 4th.

Above is a simple appetizer made up of pepperoni, cheese and blue corn chips. I think a cheese board is always a hit at parties and what better way to incorporate the red, white and blue theme for the holiday!

Banana, Strawberry and Blueberry Skewers

Another patriotic food item could be red, white and blue fruit skewers like the above. Not into this fruit? Get creative! Substitute in raspberries and marshmallows.

Want another fruit idea? How about some patriotic strawberries.  The above is made from dipping strawberries into melted white chocolate and blue sprinkles.  I've also seen this done with dark chocolate and star sprinkles, which can be found at many grocery and/or craft stores (i.e. Michael's, AC Moore).

How cute are these wrapped licorices? The patriotic paper is cut up scrapbook paper. I found this dessert here: Red, White and Blue Ideas along with several other ideas.

For your main course, I feel like you can't go wrong with salads and BBQ items (hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chicken skewers, etc.)

Now that the food is covered, we need something to wash it all down!  How about this festive Sangria?

Last but not least are the holiday decorations.

I love this tablescape! Simply pick out some red and white flowers (daisy's and carnations pictured above), put some blue coloring into the water of your clear vase, and add a small American flag. There are so many other decorating ideas, but if you're looking for something that is easy, festive, and affordable then this is the perfect centerpiece for your table.

I hope these ideas have gotten your creative juices flowing!  Do you have other 4th of July decorating ideas? I'd love to hear them! Share your comments and pictures below.

My Chicago Adventures!

Katie (L) Me (R)

Last weekend I jetted off to Chicago to be with my friend and little sista, Katie. Believe it or not, I used to be Katie's babysitter. I've watched her grow into a beautiful, independent woman. I say that everyone should have a "Katie" in their life. She is the definition of a true friend.

When I learned that she made it into the Master's program at Northwestern I was such a proud older sister. Ever since she made the big move from our little town in New York, I have been itching for the chance to visit.  I couldn't wait to see her new home, explore the city and spend some much needed quality sista time.

Chicago is an amazing city and if you've never been you should add it to your travel list. Below are some of my favorite memories from my adventure to the windy city that will hopefully inspire you to take a trip!

The first night that I arrived the weather was picture perfect. The architecture in Chicago is amazing even lit at dusk. Above are some of the sights that we passed on Friday. The upper left picture is "the bean", which is a cool silver sculpture that people come from all around to take pictures in its reflection. Below it is a sculpture and at the very bottom left are the Trump towers.  The large picture is of the many boats that go in and out of the Chicago river. The red glow picture is of an outside amphitheater right in the heart of the city. How amazing would it be to see your favorite artist perform there?! The last picture on the bottom right is of the Trump towers from a different angle.  After seeing all of these amazing sights my first night, I couldn't wait to explore some more the next morning!

It was rise and shine on Saturday.  We awoke to another gorgeous day so we ventured out for brunch (which has to be one of my favorite meals!).  We found this little cafe called Local Root that had a chic city vibe and very cool decor.  All meals are made fresh to order and sourced from local farms. The eggs benedict pictured above was delicious and of course I made Katie pose for a quick snap!

Now that we were in a food coma, we set off on foot to explore near the water. What I love most about Chicago is that it combines lake life, greenery, and a laid back attitude to make the perfect mix of relaxation and fun.  In some spots you almost forget that you're in a major metropolitan area because of how clean and environmentally friendly many spots are.  The pictures on the left were some sights along the waterway. On the top right were some bubbles floating along the skyline. The middle picture is of the free jazz fest we stumbled upon and the bottom is of "the bean" during the day.

Speaking of the greenery, the picture above is of a beautiful rose garden.  Much of the city is adorned in plants and flowers.

After 7.5 miles of exploring, our feet were calling it quits.  We wandered back to Katie's apartment to get ready for our evening festivities. After putting our feet up for a bit it was time to get ready for our first author's signing at Hotel Chicago.  After some wine, cheese, my first deep dish pizza, and an impromptu dance party it was time to head out! I'll save my book discussion for another time, but the pictures above show author Colleen Hoover at her Maybe Someday book signing event.  Katie and I had a wonderful time at Hotel Chicago.

We capped off our night at Navy Pier with a free fireworks show and an amazing view of the city. 

In just 3 short days, we had covered so much ground, but there is still so much more for me to see.  I cannot say enough good things about the city of Chicago and it's people.  Thank you to the best tour guide around (Katie) for showing me your new home and the life that you have created for yourself.  You should be proud, I know I am.  Until next time Chicago! xoxo

PS. Happy first day of summer!!