Simple DIYs for a Fun & Whimsical 4th of July!

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The Fourth of July is almost here!

In anticipation, I've rounded up some simple DIYs for a fantastic holiday bash.  

Enjoy!

Decor

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I'm in love with this holiday wreath.  If you have kids, let them help by making pom-poms with yarn.  It's super easy and all you have to do is glue or pin onto wreath base and voila!  Instant cuteness!

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Click on the above link to find a free printable banner from PagingSuperMom.com.  This is probably one of the easiest DIYs on this list.  Just print, cut and staple and you can adorn your home or patio in just a few minutes.

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These Mason Jar Painted Lanterns may take some prep time in painting and then letting the paint dry but they look so worth it!  Really, just when you thought you had seen every craft under the sun involving Mason Jars, someone clever thinks of yet another use.  Just make sure to paint the outside, not the inside!   

Outfit

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I never have any idea what to wear for a Fourth of July party.  For so long I just threw on one of those Old Navy patriotic themed shirts and called it a day.  Now I can turn my old jeans into cutoffs, and paint those cutoffs with fabric paint!  Genius....or shall I say Jean-ius? (Shut up, puns are fun)

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Now you can buy this headband from Fab.com or....................you can just make it with some glitter foam sheets and a black stretchy headband.  Just cut out three stars to your liking from gold glitter foam sheets that can be found at most craft stores and attached to headband with some hot glue.  Pretty and simple.

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Or if you fancy, you could do a version with fake flowers instead.  You know this how Lana Del Rey does it.  I mean I assume.  Who doesn't like the Fourth of July?  Canadians, that's who!  And probably the rest of the world.  

Food

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Usually, I'm pretty happy with a hot dog and some ice cream on the Fourth of July, but my mom likes to make a similar Strawberry Spinach salad as pictured above.  Just toss blueberries, sliced strawberries, almonds and some crumbled feta cheese in with some spinach leaves.  Then drizzle with some raspberry balsamic dressing and you have a tasty, festive salad sure to please!

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Oh mah gawd!  Patriotic Taco Salad sounds amazing and slightly ironic, no?  I could also see this as a way to dress up a Seven Layer Dip.  Just decorate the stripes with shredded cheese and sliced tomatoes.  Add some olives and extra guac to the top left corner and you have the most delicious version of the American flag to ever exist.

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 Dude, ice cream floats with red and blue sodas?  I'm soooo there.  This one is pretty much a no-brainer but so pretty and tasty looking at the same time.

Games

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Okay so I may have lied a little bit when I said, "simple DIYs" but how awesome is this Patriotic Corn Hole set?  Yes, to some of my readers out there, there is a game called "corn hole" and it is played quite frequently outdoors.  Basically it is a set of elevated boards with a hole cut out across the very top.  Players divide into teams and try to sink as many bean or sand filled sachets through the top or "corn" hole.  If you know how to build or know someone with basic carpentry skills, how cool would it be to bust these babies out?  Painted in red, white and blue.

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Now this Custom Beer Pong Table is entirely within my skill set.  Just get a slab of plywood or if you'd like something sturdier, a hollow-core door, from any hard-ware store and paint a flag using painter's tape for straight edges.  Then rest the table on top a pair of saw horses and your patriotic tribute to drinking games is now complete!

So tell me, my precious readers, what plans do you have in store for the holiday?

Marg

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6 Easy Tips for Surviving Your Next Outdoor Music Festival

Because you don’t want to be this guy.

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My first time attending a three day outdoor music festival I went alone, slept in my car, and almost had a run in with the police.

Let me back up a bit.

Once I had freshly graduated college, I moved to Austin to work as Production Assistant.  That did not work out as planned but I did get introduced to the outdoor festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival. 

The first two times I went, I went for one day only.

My first year to brave (and afford) all three days, I had moved back to Dallas (where the jobs are).

Thus I packed up some supplies and drove south to Austin.  My plans to stay at uncles’ house overnight were quickly dashed as well as my backup plan to crash on the floor of my cousin’s apartment.

No matter – I would just sleep in my car.  The way drug dealers, the homeless, and/or truckers sometimes do.

You don't know discomfort until you've slept in your car.

I survived on just a few hours a sleep per night, absolutely certain someone would alert the cops to my presence or the fear that I would pass out due to a lack of oxygen. 

Sealed windows still let air in right? Maybe I should roll down the window an inch?

A noisy party Saturday night at my old co-workers apartment, lead to the cops knocking on the front door.  Which wasn’t a big deal, except we had several underage drinkers and a few pot smokers perched on the balcony.  Everyone froze until the cops left.  Crisis averted.

Since those crazy days of my youth, I have learned some useful tips for the average outdoor music festival goer.   Some a mixture of common sense, and other methods more tried and true. 

I now present – 6 Easy Tips for Surviving Your Next Outdoor Music Festival!

YAAS! Let's Do This!

Tip #1 – Don’t Bring Your New Sandals

Look ladies, I know there are several cute sandal options out there.  You may be totally tempted to wear them brand spanking new to the music fest and wow everyone with your on point fashion sense.

Don’t.

Those girls that do?  They are plastering themselves with Band-Aids by end of Day One.  Most times the distance between parking and the festival gates are usually a few miles away.  You’ll be soooo excited to get there in a hurry, your new sandals will already be rubbing raw spots on your feet.

You can bring the sandals with you in a backpack to throw on once you enter the festival but towards the end of the night, you’ll either be covered in mud, or dirt or spilled beer.  Your cute sandals deserve better.

Tip # 2 – Come Prepared

Plan on bringing a poncho, a bandana and some hand sanitizer.  Each work wonders.  The porta potties will inevitably of supplies to wash your hand with. 

Also depending on the weather, which can vary wildly in Texas, you may be faced with drenching rains or hot dry heat that can turn the festival grounds into the post-apocalyptic setting of the Mad Max/ Road Warrior movies.

Trash bags work as ponchos too.....mmmyes, that's me!

Tip # 3 - Locate the Free Drinking Water Stations

Most festivals provide free drinking water stations, in which you can fill up at no charge.  At first, most people typically pass right on by but by Day Three, there is line of festival goers waiting up to 50 minutes and totally missing the whole Tune-Yards set just to get some dang water that doesn’t cost $7 a bottle.

Locate the stations early and strategically swoop in at opportune times to ensure you have an adequate water supply.

Tip # 4 – Locate Some Shade

Standing in the sun, watching Matt and Kim tear it up, is one of life’s greatest pleasures.  Standing in the sun after 4 hours straight is literally torture.  Regardless of which band is currently playing.  Make sure you find some shade and take a rest.  Even if you can’t see the band, you can still hear them and in your chillaxed pose can actually enjoy the music for what it’s worth.

This year I didn’t actually see the band Kongos perform, but I heard them live while stitting under a tent providing shade and man, they were just as awesome!

Tip # 5 – Avoid Running From Stage to Stage

My sister loves to do this but I do not recommend it.  Most music festivals purposely book two massively popular acts at the same time on stages on the opposite ends of the fairgrounds or park.  Most first timers moan in agony that they can’t watch both acts at the same time but that’s done on purpose so that the crowds are evenly spaced around the stages.  You wouldn’t want everyone crowding around each other at one end of the park while the other end is completely empty. 

Running from stage to stage in theory allows you to see both, but you are most likely going to miss the band’s performance of your favorite track or their awesome cover of a well-known classic.  You will miss the best parts, is what I have experienced chasing after my sister.

Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear and 2 Chainz play at the same time? Tha fu#k?

Tip # 6 – Stash Snacks in Your Car

Stash snacks in your car for after the festival.  You’ll either be running low on cash monies or you may be looking forward to grab a bite to eat someplace nearby.  Problem is, most of the festival attendees will have the same idea and you will find yourself in a bit of a gridlock on the way out.  Not to mention wait times at the closest restaurants, diners, or pancake houses still open nearby.  

You will most likely be hangry and/or thirsty, walking back to the parking lot so why not stash a little something in your car to tide you over?  I recommended trail mix or dried fruit. 

Any tips ya'll have to share?

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How to have the Best Memorial Day Cookout Evah!

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Greetings!  I did not realize that Memorial Day was fast approaching us, here in the US.  (Yes, I'm gonna pretend my humble blog attracts readers from all over the globe)  I know people usually are saddened to learn that Americans do not typically celebrate the first of May, or May Day, as is celebrated in many other countries.  I guess Memorial Day is the closest thing we have, since it still technically occurs in May and honors all the the men and women who died in the US Armed Forces, serving the country.

As I have tweeted before, most American holidays that do not include the exchange of presents or candy usually is celebrated by day drinking.  I don't know why, though sometimes the only thing that gets me through Thanksgiving with the relatives is glass of white wine shortly after breakfast.

I'm kidding Mama!

For Memorial Day everyone loves a good cookout, myself included.  So I've been spending time on Pinterest collecting ideas on how to through the best Memorial Day cookout, ever, in my humble little backyard.

First up?  Dranks!!  (Thas' was'up!)

DRINKS

I like the idea of providing mixed drinks and beer.  A non-alcoholic version of this watermelon punch sounds fruity and delicious for the kiddos and responsible adults.

Watermelon Punch Recipe

Pre-mixing cocktails and storing them in mason jar on ice would be a good way for guests to simply grab and enjoy, no necessary trips indoors.

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Of course there is always beer at my cookout but I always wonder if there's a better way to display them, rather than sticking them in a cheap Styrofoam cooler.  I mean a kiddie pool isn't exactly high-class either but it puts all the delicious beer on display, whereas with the coolers the beers always seem hidden from view.

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FOOD

For food there is the classic standby of hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.  I want to take it a step further and make bacon wrapped hot dogs this year because you know it really isn't a true celebration unless bacon is involved.  (Apologies to my vegan and/or international friends).  You don't even need a grill, just make them in the oven.

Cheesy Bacon Wrapped Hotdogs Recipe

For sides, I love this version of the potato salad my mom usually makes.  It foregoes mayo and uses Italian dressing or oil/vinegar.  No mayo recipes are golden when your party takes place outdoors.

Italian Potato Salad Recipe

I'd also include a little bit of Mexican heritage and add an elotes bar.  Boiled or roasted corn topped with a little butter, cheese and/or mayo?  What's not to love?  

Elotes Bar Recipe

Save me some of that corn!

DECOR

I really wouldn't try to decorate my backyard in anticipation of a cookout, except to put up as many hammocks as I could.  Pretty much everyone goes for an outdoor hammock, no matter the event.

DIY Hammock Instructions

How cool is this group hammock made from a trampoline?  Probably best for the kiddos, huh?  I can imagine my twin kid sisters hopping on, making room for me, and then me breaking the damn thing but.....it still looks fun!

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ICE CREAM SHOP

You have to have ice cream.  It's summer, it's warm, it's just what has to be done.  I'm truly sorry if you are lactose intolerant, there are some pretty yummy fruit pops around though.  I would totally build this little ice cream front from some spare cardboard and have the kids run the shop.  Not that I have kids.  I'm unmarried but you know, the neighborhood kids. 

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Adults can come up while the kids make their sundae order or  hand them a store-bought popsicle. My 8 year old self would have been alllll over this!  I used to help scoop ice cream at day care for the younger kids afternoon snack.  I could make the perfect lil' scoop.  I'd be like, "I got this Teach!". Ahhh memories, for Memorial Day.

What ridiculously awesome plans do you have going on?  Seriously, even sleeping in and eating instant ramen sounds appealing to me.  NO WORK, WOOHOO!

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Hello Spring! How to create the best Outdoor Space Ever!

Hello my peeps!

Today is the first day of spring!  Woo-hoo!  My neck of the woods has seen bi-polar weather resulting in 40 degree lows and 80 degree highs the very next day.  It's been murder on my seasonal allergies but better than the ice and snow still plaguing the North and the Mid-West.  Hopefully the weather will calm down soon and we can enjoy the sunshine on our faces.

As spring approaches, I'm looking forward to enjoying my backyard with a nice cool drink and public radio playing the Black Keys and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs and such.  Right now my backyard and lawn are a complete mess.  Tree branches fallen everywhere due to the high winds, dandelion weeds popping up out of control, and my outdoor string lights destroyed by the insects and squirrels.

This weekend I'll need to pull out the lawn mower and get to work, hard work.  Which is not fun.  For motivation, I've combed through Pinterest looking for inspiration in having the best outdoor space ever!  Let's take a look shall we?

Outdoor Seating

Quick, what is an outdoor space without any seating?  It's just a field, really.  Outdoor seating tops my list for any must have.  I do have a random assortment of outdoor furniture already occupying my covered patio and front porch.  I got some white plastic Adirondack chairs on sale last Fall but they are ill-suited for my porch.  They are too big, do not match my 1960's house, and don't pop with color.  So I will relegate them to the backyard with all the green foliage.  

I love the two DIY ideas below for additional seating and to bring some color in the mix.   

I feel like I could create this colorful bench with cinder blocks, home-made cushions and wooden beams.  The geometric shape is a better profile for my front porch and those cushions are so cute.

I also love re-painting old furniture and this idea to paint a wooden bench in stripes seems really fresh and interesting.  Any stripes really, are always a good idea.  I'm really digging the yellow, white and aqua combo.

Outdoor Lighting

I had a combination of rope lighting, outdoor cafe lighting and twinkly white Christmas lights going on last year.  Unfortunately the bugs and the squirrels took out the outdoor cafe lighting.  The squirrels had a great time using it as their own highway through my backyard.  Most of the rope lighting and all the twinkly lights survived.  This year I need to think outside the box in setting up my outdoor lighting.

I like this concept of placing the twinkly lights together in a basket like so.  It makes a bigger impact that just a small strand.

I also like the twinkly lights dripping of the trees.  Seems like that may be a better alternative to draping the cafe lights horizontally.  The effective is rather romantic and dramatic.

Outdoor Chandelier

I had also put up a DIY Outdoor Chandelier to bring a lil' sparkle to my backyard last summer.  I made it with colored plastic gems, a little Ikea octopus dryer with the eight arms, and some strands of beads.  The wind actually caused the beads and gems to get pretty tangled and ruined.  So I've found some new chandelier DIYs to try for this year.

 I could attach the plastic gems to base made from chicken wire or wire mesh.  This way the gems or beads wouldn't be long enough to tangle and I would still keep the sparkle.

I could try to make a chandelier using nautical floats for a pretty pop of color.  I know the nautical floats can be found in some antique shops but they are not cheap.

I like the simplicity of this grapevine wreath with mini mason jars hanging from it.  Really rustic, lovely and super easy to do.

Planter Love

The aloe vera and succulents I've been keeping inside are almost ready to come outside.  Some of my plants have grown and need to be re-potted into larger pots.  I want to spruce up my plain terra cotta pots before then and found some really cute, color-blocking ideas.

This seems simple enough.  Just paint a coat of yellow paint, then free hand the lines in white.

I like that the inside is painted a contrasting color as well.  Really cute and again there's my new favorite color combo of yellow, white and aqua!

This seems perfect for my skill level and my tendency to get really lazy, just paint the rim and you're done!

Flowers

Lantana plant

Here in Texas, there are parts of your outdoor space that will totally get absolutely fried by the sun.  I have a few trees that provide some much needed shade.  But there are some spots that I have trouble getting anything to grow because of the heat.

My mama plants lantana plants in the un-shaded places in her garden.  They will thrive in the brutal sun and are absolutely gorgeous.  They also attract butterflies so WIN all around.  I'll be stocking up on these to plant in my planter box outside.  

How cute is this planter box?

So tell me, mis amigos, are you excited to get started creating your own little backyard oasis or are you dreading the spring cleaning?  What tips or DIYs do you have to share?

Tell me!  I would love to know.

Later gators,

Marg

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