The 4th of July is right around the corner and we wanted to share a few of our favorite things to do during this national holiday. We love to celebrate with our family and friends whether it be at the beach, lake, or river. We all have our favorite thing about the 4th and we thought we’d share with you! Meghan loves a fun and festive floaty, Candice loves a good patriotic fashion statement on the lake, and Shelbi loves to make her favorite hot dog recipe with her family.

Meghan’s Favorite Things

Meghan’s family has collected many oversized floaties over the years, but her favorite has to be Henrietta the Swan! Every year, she spends the 4th with her family at their lake house on Lake Martin with her fiancé, her parents, her brother and sister-in-law, and her niece and nephew along with all of their own favorite floaties. They have recently purchased a 15-seater floaty that they cannot wait to try out this holiday! Lake Martin has always been her happy place, so she is always looking forward to this fun time with family. Some of Meghan’s favorite 4th of July floats are linked below:

 

Don’t forget to get a float pump so you don’t have to spend all of your time inflating your floats!

Candice’s Favorite Things

Candice is all stars and stripes when it comes to her outfit choice to celebrate our country’s independence. Finding great deals online is her forte, but she loves to splurge on worthwhile investment pieces. Candice also likes to add fun accessories like her favorite blinking red, white, and blue sunglasses to wear to her family’s annual dock party. You’ll find some of her favorite deals and splurges for the season below!

Swimsuits

Not pictured: Show Me Your Mumu Siesta Key AMUrican Pie One Piece

Coverups

Not pictured: Show Me Your Mumu Shook Tassel Tunic in Bonfire

Shoes

 

Tip: These Birkenstocks are great because they are water-friendly.

Tops

Not Pictured: J. Crew Cropped T-Shirt in Multi Stripe

Pajamas

Pants and Shorts

Not pictured: Show Me Your Mumu Berkeley Zip Up Bells in Pearly White and Old Navy Slim Distressed Denim Midi Cutoffs for Women – 5-inch inseam

Earrings

Shelbi’s Favorite Thing

Shelbi is always searching for a fantastic meal. When she is celebrating the 4th, she loves her family’s favorite go-to holiday meal – hot dogs! When Shelbi introduced a new hot dog recipe she discovered at Publix to her family, they were hooked. Leftovers are no more after introducing this recipe! Cooking together is something Shelbi and her family enjoy as their favorite memories, and it’s always fun to make new ones!

Ingredients

8 Bakery hot dog buns (uncut)
1/2 European cucumber, finely chopped
1/2 cup prediced tomatoes
1/4 cup prediced red onions
1/4 cup sliced banana peppers
1/4 cup dill pickle relish
2 tablespoons deli-style oil and vinegar dressing
1/4 cup celery leaves, coarsely torn
1 teaspoon green pepper sauce
8 jumbo hot dogs
8 (12-inch) wooden skewers

Steps

1. Preheat grill (or grill pan). Slice hot dog buns open from top (instead of side), leaving 1/4-inch intact; set aside. Cut cucumber into quarters and chop; combine with remaining ingredients (except hot dogs and skewers) until well blended.
2. Spear each hot dog lengthwise through the center with a skewer. Beginning at the top of the skewer, hold the knife at a slight angle and cut all the way down to the skewer as you roll the dog away from you. Repeat between cuts for a tighter spiral (if desired). Grill hot dogs 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until steaming hot.
3. Place hot dogs in buns; top with cucumber salsa. Serve.

 

A good cocktail is always a staple that puts us in the holiday spirit! We love to prepare recipes that we find on Pinterest to create a festive red, white, and blue cocktail Find the recipe below that you can always add garnish with star-shaped fruit. Take out the white wine to make a great mocktail!

Ingredients

• 1 bottle of white wine pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, or chardonnay
• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 2 cups fresh raspberries
• 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
• 1 small box fresh strawberries sliced
• 3 granny smith apples
• 24 ounces of 7 up soda or sparkling water or champagne optional
• straws flag pics, star-shaped ice cube tray

 

 

 

Steps

1. Slice strawberries and cut pineapple chunks, place in pitcher.
2. Add blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
3. Save a few stars for garnish.
4. Add the rest of the white apple stars with the lemon juice in the pitcher.
5. Pour a bottle of wine, and either 7up soda or sparkling water. Add champagne if desired.
6. Mix, cover and chill in the fridge overnight.
7. Serve in glasses with straws, and flag pics, and star ice cubes, and white apple stars for garnish.

To make this drink even more festive snag this star ice cube tray to make fun ice cubes for you drink! 

You won’t regret improving your 4th of July experience by purchasing a fun floaty, wearing a festive outfit, or making these amazing recipes this year. We hope you enjoy the holiday as much as we will. Surround yourself with great family and friends, and we wish you the best 4th of July yet with our tips!