Red, White, & Blue

The introvert in me almost always prefers to escape the crowds of overcrowded holidays to staying in the fray, so this past weekend for the Fourth of July, I packed my bags and got out of dodge. We left town and headed a couple hours north to a friend's lakeside cottage near Port Austin, where we spent our days celebrating America with fireworks, cookouts, and boat rides.

Aside from our pit stop to Franks roadside ice cream stand, we didn't leave the cottage or the lake once. And even though I spent my days on a boat in a bikini and my nights by the bonfire in my sweatpants, I'll take any excuse to dress up in my finest red, white, and blues. And bonus points if the outfit involves red, white, and blue stripes. We all know how much I love a good stripe.

Besides, it just doesn't get more American than an ice cream stand, boats, and patriotic stripes.

top: amour vert

shorts: old

clutch: clare v. 

cuff: nomad collective

sandals: banana republic

Outfit Post: Fourth of July

I'm a huge fan of holidays. They almost always involve friends and family and food and drinks, and they usually involve some sort of holiday themed outfit. 

Fourth of July is no exception. 

Usually for the fourth, I'm a little bit more obnoxious obvious in my themed outfits: think stars and stripes and full on patriotic accessories. But this year, I've decided on a more classic, all-American approach to my Independence Day attire - something a little more toned-down and ladylike. This red shirt dress is the perfect way to embrace the holiday without looking like I was attacked by an American flag (definitely a past offender). 

But with three days of grilling, fireworks, seafood boils, and beach days ahead of me, there's still plenty of time to revert to my old ways. After all, there's only so long one can remain ladylike with the abundance of obnoxious holiday accessories available. 

No matter what you have planned to wear (or do), I hope you all have a fantastic holiday weekend!

dress: marissa webb via rent the runway unlimited

clutch: clare v. via rent the runway unlimited

heels: target (similar here)

watch: shinola

hat: target

sunglasses: ray-ban

Outfit Post: Red, White, and Blues

It doesn’t get more American than denim cutoffs and Chuck Taylors. Throw in an American flag scarf from Free People, a locally brewed IPA (not pictured) and the most beautiful golden hour light and you’ve got the perfect July 4th setting.

I'm headed Up North for a quiet holiday weekend on the lake, complete with friends, dogs, bonfires, and boats.

Talk about good ol' fashion American fun.

Happy Independence Day, everyone! Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

top: h&m (similar here)

shorts: american eagle

shoes: converse

scarf: free people

tote bag: j.crew

hat: similar here

Red, White, and Blueberry Smoothie

Now that summer is here in full force, I'm constantly looking for ways to stay cool. And with Fourth of July just a couple of days away, I'm celebrating the holiday with a refreshingly cool (and patriotic) smoothie.

And if you're looking to impress your friends at an Independence Day cookout this weekend, this concoction will totally do it. Healthy, delicious, and totally impressible.

Win, win, win.

Get the recipe (makes two large servings):

Blue:
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/4 plain greek yogurt
1 tablespoon honey (optional)

White:
1 banana (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
tablespoon coconut flakes
1/4 plain greek yogurt

Red:
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1/2 pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

Blend each section separately, filling one third of your glass with each flavor. Depending on the amount of fresh or frozen fruit you use, you make want to add some additional ice to get the desired consistency and thickness (the more ice, the better the separation between colors). Top with extra berries or coconut flakes. Add a fun straw and enjoy!