All In: Fireworks

Happy All In Day! I've got your Fourth of July look all in for under $100!

tank/shorts/sandals/sunglasses/shoulder bag

Be fabulous today!

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Friday Foodday

Happy Fourth of July weekend! Here are some festive recipes for you.

American Sidecar

c/o Cosmopolitan

Ingredients

2 oz. bourbon 

1 oz. Triple Sec 

3/4 oz. lemon juice

Blue Curacao

Directions

In a shaker filled with ice, combine ingredients and shake. Strain into a sugar rimmed coupe and add a Blue Curacao float. 

Jalapeno Popper Hot Dog

c/o Country Cleaver

Ingredients

4 All Beef Hot Dogs

4 High Quality Stadium Buns

4 Tbsp butter, for toasting hot dogs

6 ounces Cream Cheese, softened

12 Frozen Jalapeno Poppers, prepared according to package directions

Jalapeno Kettle Chips, crunched up

4 Fresh Jalapeños

Directions

Prepare jalapeno poppers according to package directions. When slightly cooled, sliced into large chunks.

While the poppers are baking or frying, prepare hot dogs on a preheated grill, that has been reduced to medium-low. Grill until cooked through. While the hotdogs are grilling, on the other side of the grill, roast the fresh jalapenos until blistered on the outside and slightly soft. Remove from grill to rest.

During the last few minutes of the grilling process, butter the hot dog buns, and toast on the grill until golden brown.

To assemble::

Spread cream cheese over the toasted buns. Place the hot dogs into the buns. Top hot dog with chopped up jalapeno poppers. Top with crunched up jalapeno kettle chips.

If desired, slice up fresh roasted jalapenos for an added kick. Remove as many seeds as possible to reduce the heat.

Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle

c/o Skinnytaste

Ingredients

• 10 oz angel food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 pints strawberries, sliced
• 2 pints blueberries

For the cream filling: 

• 6 tbsp fat-free sweetened condensed milk (I used Borden Eagle)
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 (4 oz) package white chocolate or cheesecake instant pudding mix 
• 12 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed 

Directions

Whisk the condensed milk and water in a bowl. Whisk in the pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set; fold in the whipped topping.

Arrange half of the cake in the bottom of a 14-cup trifle dish. Sprinkle evenly with a layer of blueberries. Spread half of the cream mixture over the blueberries and gently spread (I piped it using a plastic bag and cut the corner off). Top with a layer of strawberries. Layer the remaining cake cubes on top of the strawberries, then add more blueberries and top with the remaining cream mixture. Finish with the remaining strawberries and blueberries, arranging them in a pretty pattern. Cover and refrigerate at least one 1 hour.

Holiday Hat

Headed on vacation this Fourth of July weekend? If so, you're going to need a fantastic straw floppy hat. I've got you covered. These casual to fancy toppers will keep you cool and go with any outfit.

Zappos, Calvin Klein Straw Flower Sun Hat, $42

The brim has great shape to it and the simple flower tassels are just enough detail.

Asos, Glamorous Straw Floppy Hat with Frayed Edge, $24

Something a little more bohemian that is perfect for the sand.

Ted Baker, Two Tone Straw Hat, $47

Something a little more fancy? This beauty will work.

Express, Pom Straw Hat, $34

You know I love a pom pom. This hat is tropical and so much fun.

Whether you are headed to the beach, the lake, or a festival, these hats will look stylish and be functional. Oh and they're also all under $50.

Be fabulous today!

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Needlepoint

Remember when embroidered shorts would bring up a slew of critter cotton shorts from JCrew? Those were the days. I'd like to think we've matured a little bit from those (don't get me wrong though, I still rock mine). But for a casual alfresco dinner, let's try something a little more mature.

Loft, Floral Embroidered Shorts, $24

Can't beat this price. I also like the pin tuck pleats at the waist.

Anthropologie, Pathway Embroidered Shorts, $39

Embroidery from Anthro for under $40. Don't wait on these shorts.

Topshop, Dotty Shorts, $65

Hands down my favorite of this bunch. I love the mix of colors and patterns.

Mango, Embroidered Cotton Shorts, $59

Now these are something special. A lovely landscape of colorful flowers with a matching belt.

Spice up your shorts with something beautiful embroidery. These soft shorts will go great with a simple tee or dress it up with a cutaway back blouse.

Be fabulous today!

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