Fourth of July Fun

Hey lovelies,


Well it's officially July and what I've always considered the kickoff to summer is coming in only 2 days....the Fourth of July!


Honestly I love this holiday. It's nice to go down the shore, have a BBQ, and watch the fireworks with the people you love.


Plus when else can you wear red, white, and blue and look like a total fashion plate? Also you can make some excellent red, white, and blue drinks. I love when things can be themed. Plus, it seems like this year more than most everyone is obsessed with the American flag motif.


Ralph Lauren has created some adorable bathing suits. My personal favorite is his Blue Label Deauville Stripe tankini and lace back hipster. It's got adorable nautical stripes in blue and white and a sexy little tie in the front that's red. The bottoms are a navy blue with a white tie up the back. These little touches give the suit some great depth. Plus with the detachable strap for the neck I can avoid one of my least favorite/most favorite parts of summer - tan lines. Here's where you can find it: http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/ralph-lauren-blue-label-deauville-stripe-midkini-lace-back-hipster?ID=610316&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results






Tan lines are fun - just to show off that you actually did go out somewhere - preferably the beach but pools work great too - but they also make it hard to wear things that are strapless because they just look so awkward sometimes. Plus if you're like me you don't like that many tan lines going on you end up getting a lot of the same suits because you don't want to have like a million different tan lines and an uneven tan as a result.


I also find that I have the hardest time getting an even tan between my back and my front. I feel like my front is always a lot darker than my back, but that could be because I don't really like laying on my front and getting sand all in my face from being on my towel. Then it gets in my mouth and I have that grainy, crunchy taste in my mouth for the rest of the day it seems. I will say though I love having a flip flop tan line - it's like the Rascal Flatts song "Summer Nights" ("flip flop tans, and some white sand I know the perfect spot").


Anyway I also love making delicious Fourth of July inspired drinks. One of my favorites and is a red, white, and blue sangria. This site has the recipe for it (but I'll reprint it here) as well as the recipes for other Fourth of July inspired drinks: http://www.punchbowl.com/p/red-white-and-blue-cocktails

RED, WHITE, and BLUE SANGRIA:

• Sliced Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Pineapple cut into stars
• 2 bottles dry white wine
• 1 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup berry flavored vodka
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup simple syrup

Combine in a large pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for 4 hours and then Serve :)


A pitcher of this and a some red, white, and blue jello shots and I'd say you're in for a very Happy Fourth of July!


I'll post pictures later this week of how I spent my Fourth! :)


Happy (Early) Fourth of July!


Lea Mills xoxo