Happy 4th of July!

Are you ready for the 4th of July? I don’t think most people have a formal-type of sit-down dinner for the 4th, picnic and BBQ seems more the rules of the day. However, I tend to play by my own rules, and my rules say make it a party whenever possible, complete with cute napkins.

As I was slouching around The Interwebs–as I tend to do–I found a dozen bandanas on sale for less than a buck each, and they were patriotic and flag-like, without being an actual flag print where you would be remiss to sop up some stray BBQ sauce. (Am I the only one who has qualms about stuff like this?) They aren’t fine linen or anything, just cheapie bandanas, but wow do they pack a patriotic punch! And honestly, pair them with white melamine or even heavy-duty paper plates at your outdoor BBQ and you’ve just elevated your party to a new level of awesome. Wash, or simply toss, depending on how much you love/hate the earth. No pressure.

The navy runner classes things up a bit without being too formal, and the rattan chargers keep it casual enough for a Saturday afternoon. The red melamine chargers are from Fiestaware and totally outdoor- and kid-proof.

White dinner plates are my every-day dishes, from Pottery Barn, and tumblers and flatware is old, old, old. It’s funny, when I start typing it all out, how much of these place settings are just regular, every-day items, re-imagined a little and with a flashy bandana.

Ok, I know not everyone has been collecting (but not using) dishes and napkins and things for a decade, I realize I may be an anomaly in that regard. But it has been so fun to dig it all out and combine things in new and fun-for-me ways! Don’t begrudge me that, mmmmmkay?

Some grocery-store sunflowers in a squatty jar and this table is done. I don’t like how sunflowers smell, not one bit, but they are just such a happy, summery flower that I couldn’t pass these ones up.

What type of celebrating are you doing this week? BBQs? Picnics? Fireworks? All of the above?

Sources:

Navy table runner: IKEA
Rattan chargers: IKEA
Scarlet Fiestaware charger: HomerLaughlin (no longer available, similar)
White dinner plates: Pottery Barn Catering Box
Stars and stripes bandana napkin: Amazon
Star napkin rings: eBay (similar)
Tumblers: Target, old
Flatware: Target, old
Vase: IKEA, old
Sunflowers: grocery store

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