4th of July Party Ideas

The summer is really flying by! I can't believe it's almost 4th of July already.  Today, I wanted to share some ideas with those of you who are entertaining this upcoming 4th of July weekend. I have included some pictures, which demonstrate ways to set-up your BBQ and some fun patriotic party decor ideas as well. I hope you all get to enjoy fireworks and have a fun long weekend with family and friends.

Cheesecake shots with Patriotic Puff Pastry Stars

Photo Courtesy of: The Cake Blog

I love this BBQ set-up! How cute are the french fry cones and corn on skewers

Photo courtesy of: Smartyhadaparty

Red, White & Blue Mason Jars (yes, mason jars are another one of my obsessions)

Photo Courtesy of: Brit + Co

I don't really like hot dogs, but I absolutely love this hot dog bar set-up!

Photo Courtesy of: Hostess With the Mostess

Fruit in red, white and blue stripped candy cups

Photo Courtesy of: The TomKat Studio

Cute way to package utenzils. Love the white polka dot kraft bags

Photo courtesy of:

Patriotic Mason Jar Drink. I love the 4th of July tag

Photo Courtesy of: Hostess With the Mostess

Let's Talk Dessert: Sugar Cookie Cups

I love to serve bite-size desserts when entertaining.  Bite-size desserts make it possible to offer many different dessert options.  The small portion size is appreciated by your guests because it gives them the ability to try multiple desserts without all of the guilt of eating a ton of calories. Lately I have been pinning on Pinterest a lot of sugar cookie cups with different filling options. I think they are the perfect dessert option for when you are entertaining because they super easy to make, versatile and look very pretty. Try these delicious sugar cookie cup recipes, which are sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next party!

Blueberry S'more Cookie Cups (I guess I'm just addicted to S'mores, lol)

Photo Courtesy of: Big Bang Bites

Fruit Cheesecake Sugar Cookie Cups

Photo Courtesy of: Life Love and Sugar

Salted Caramel Cookie Cups 

Photo Courtesy of: Betty Crocker

Sugar Cookie Truffle Bites

Photo Courtesy of: Betty Crocker

Lemon Meringue Cookie Cups

Photo Courtesy of: Mom On Timeout

Key Lime Pie Sugar Cookie Cups

Photo Courtesy of: I am a honey bee

Event Trend Spotlight: Glitter Cake Toppers

One of the easiest ways to make a simple cake more interesting is by adding a glitter cake topper. The cake toppers can be made into a variety of different shapes or letters  and there are many different color options. My personal favorite is gold glitter. Here are some examples of glitter cake toppers and I have also included links to etsy shops that sell glitter cake toppers.   If you are crafty and want to save money  I included a link to Lauren Conrad's blog, which provides directions for making your own glitter cake topper.   Enjoy!

"Love" cake topper

Photo Courtesy of: Etsy

Happy Birthday cake topper

Photo Courtesy of: Etsy

Gold glitter cake topper on beautiful pink ombre cake

Glitter heart cake toppers

Photo Courtesy of: Etsy

DIY Glitter Star Cake Toppers

Photo Courtesy of:

LaurenConrad.com

Floral Tea Party

A floral tea party is the perfect party theme.  It's  a very versatile theme that works well for kids parties, bridal showers or baby showers.  You can use lace, pearls and pastel colors to complete the decor of your party.  Tea parties are also the perfect excuse to bust out your best vintage china. I love the idea of combining different size tea cups and china patterns. Here are some ideas to get you inspired!

Tea saucers & pearls

Beautiful english garden party

Photo courtesy of: Little big company

Beautiful floral cupcakes. I love the floral cupcake wrappers

Photo courtesy of: kara's party ideas

pretty flowers in cups in closed bell jars

Photo courtesy of: Bella Cupcakes

Pink & Turquoise tea party

Photo courtesy of: the pretty blog

Beautiful pink flowers

Photo courtesy of: the pretty blog

I love the use of pastel colors

Photo courtesy of: Style Unveiled

Pool Party!

One of the best parts of summer is pool parties! What's better than a beautiful day laying out by the pool  while drinking a refreshing cocktail.  To me pool parties are meant to be casual and fun, but that doesn't mean that you need to forgo a theme or festive dessert table. Here are some ideas, which are sure to get you excited for your next pool party. 

I love the surfboard backdrop and the color palette just screams pool party to me

Photo Courtesy of: karapartiesideas

Cute beach ball cake pops

Photo Courtesy of: Bakerella, the queen of cakepops!

I love the sunglass & flip flop cookies!

Photo Courtesy of: karapartiesideas

Goldfish marshmallow pops

Photo Courtesy of: pizzazzerie

I love the bathing suit trunks made out of scrapbook paper, which are perfect for a pool party. I also really like how the toy sailboats where incorporated into the decor. 

Photo Courtesy of: karaspartyideas

Garden Party

I recently saw pictures of a garden party featured on the pottery barn kids website and thought that was such a cute idea for a kids birthday party. You can have the guests paint flower pots and plant a flower or give the guests vegetable seedlings to plant. Here is some ideas for your garden party.

Pictures from the pottery barn kids photo shoot, which was my original source of inspiration

photo courtesy of: thetomkatstudio

fruit in seed starting pots

Photo courtesy of: pillow thought

adorable "plant" cupcakes in mini terra cotta pots

Daisy's in tin cans 

photo courtesy of: Maria McBride

Let's Talk Dessert: S'mores

I absolutely love S'mores! They bring me back to wonderful memories of summer bbq's at the beach and putting marshmallows on skewers over the fire pit. S'mores are not just for kids there are many different variations and ways to interpret S'mores, which makes them a fun and easy dessert to serve when entertaining.   Here are some ideas for your next summer party...

 Menu to use if you are putting together a S'mores bar

Photo Courtesy of: bevandcuisine

Gourmet marshmallows are a fun addition to s'mores

Photo Courtesy of: theberry

Love the idea of having a "s'mores in a box" party favor for guests

S'mores in a jar

photo courtesy of: livsoysterbar

Nice S'mores bar set-up.

S'mores marshmallows on striped straws

"let's roast mallows and party s'more" Love this idea for a S'mores treat bag!

Photo courtesy of: theflairexchange

Outdoor Movie Party

One of my favorite ways to entertain during the summer is by hosting an outdoor movie party. You can add some  fun touches to your party by putting together a popcorn bar with different toppings and serve coca cola in the old fashioned glass bottles to give your party a retro touch.

The colorful pillows and blankets is a nice touch, which your guests will definitely appreciate. This picture also demonstrates the screen you show your movie on doesn't need to be high-tech it can just been a white sheet that you hang outside

Photo Courtesy of: designsponge

I love this movie marquee sign! 

Here's instructions so you can DIY: http://ohhappyday.com/2012/06/vintage-marquee-diy/

Photo Courtesy of: 100layercake

Popcorn bar! I love the cart and all the different toppings!

Photo courtesy of: Pen & Paper Flowers, you can also buy the signage used on Etsy

Cute signage "Take a Sheet & Grab a Seat"

Photo Courtesy of: designsponge

                                                     

 

Old fashioned glad coca cola bottles add a fun touch to the party! They remind of the outdoor movie scene in the movie Grease 

Photo Courtesy of: 100layercake

Rustic Barn Parties

Since it's wedding season I wanted to share one of my favorite wedding reception themes, the rustic barn theme. I love the understated elegance of rustic themed parties. The combination of burlap, wood barrels and wooden tables always looks great together. Here is some rustic barn party inspiration.

Pictures from top left, to bottom right

1. I love the wooden planters boxes and the gorgeous floral arrangements Photo Courtesy of, Wisnerphotoblog

2. Beautiful dessert table. I love how the wooden barrels are repurposed into a table, such a good idea for a summer party and very versatile as well. could be used for a bar or even as a buffet table.

Photo Courtesy of, Lauren Leonard interiors

3. I love the burlap table runner and lace accents. The J&R marquee sign is also a nice touch. Stay tuned for one of my future blog posts where I will share instructions for a DIY marquee sign.

Photo Courtesy of: weddingpartyapp

4. Upscale picnic table. Beautiful flower arrangements and I think the lightbulbs hanging from the tree is a really cool touch.

Photo Courtesy of: stylemepretty

Rainbow Art Party

I have been noticing a ton of Rainbow art parties on Pinterest and just had to share some of my favorite rainbow party decor ideas. What a cute idea for a kid's birthday party. I know when I was younger I would have absolutely loved a rainbow art party, heck I would still love it, lol! 

I love the crayon melting on canvas backdrop & the coordinating cake!

Photo courtesy of: ediblecrafts.craftgossip 

Rainbow cupcakes on a canvas

Photo Courtesy of: Chalk & Talk

I love the Rainbow colored waters & how cool is that rainbow heart cake!

Photo Courtesy of: TomKat Sudio, one of my absolute favorite sources of inspiration. Stay tuned for a blogpost where I show more amazing pictures from the TomKat Studio blog :)

I love the backdrop  & the cake is cool too!

Photo Courtesy of: HWTM, another one of the best sources for inspiration

Candy in clear paint jars

Photo Courtesy of: HWTM

Cute way to set-up art station, I am a huge fan of chalkboard signage so be prepared to see a ton in upcoming posts

Photo Courtesy of: TomKat Studio