Make This Instagram-Worthy Photo Booth Backdrop for Your 4th of July Party

You guys know we love a good DIY photo backdrop. Heck, we love any and every kind of DIY party decor, but a photo booth really brings something to the fiesta table. Any excuse to take a few too many photos with our pals, right? So we pulled out our trusty wooden dowel one more time for a super easy (and may we say flippin’ adorable) 4th of July flag backdrop. Scroll on to learn how we did it!

Materials:

— 1 yard light red fabric

— 1 yard dark red fabric

— 1 yard white fabric

— 12 yards white trim

— 2-foot by 1-foot blue fabric

— fabric scissors

— pen

— X-Acto knife

— cutting mat

— safety pins

— 5-foot dowel

Instructions:
1. Cut your red and white fabric into 2-inch-wide, 5-foot-long strips.

2. Cut your white trim into 5-foot-long strands.

3. Draw various-sized stars at random on your blue fabric. Then cut out the stars with an X-Acto knife. Fabric scissors also work, but it’s difficult to be precise.

4. Hang up your dowel, then tie on all light red strips using a double knot. Repeat with the dark red fabric, then the white, spacing out you strips to mimic an American flag. Add the white trim last.

5. Pin the blue fabric to the top right corner of your backdrop.

6. Take tons of photos with your pals!

Here’s another reason to make this backdrop — it’s a good excuse to use all the fabric scraps you have lying around.

Cut your red and white fabric into two-inch-wide, five-foot-long strips. Repeat with the rest of your fabric, then cut your trim into five-foot-long strands.

Draw stars at random on your blue fabric. Then cut out the stars with an X-ACTO knife. Fabric scissors also work, but they’re not as precise.

Look at that beauty!

Hang up your dowel, then tie on all of the light red strips using a double knot. Repeat with the dark red fabric, then the white. Leave space between the strips to mimic American flag stripes. Add the white trim last.

Pin the blue fabric to the top right corner of your backdrop.

Hello, you glorious flag, you. Guess what the next step is?

Take photos with all your homies! As always, silly props and sunnies are encouraged.

Are you going to make this backdrop yourself? If so, we want to see the results! Share photos with the hashtags #iamcreative and #britstagram so we can take a look!

Halloween may be the most popular October holiday, but we’re excited about one more fall event that gives us the perfect excuse to gorge on beer, brats, and soft pretzels. That’s right, people: We’re talkin’ Oktoberfest. If you’ve never thrown an Oktoberfest party, we’ve got everything you’ll need and more, from decor ideas to German-inspired menu items. So put on your best lederhosen, crack open a cold one, and get to party planning.

Waiting on Martha

Pumpkin Beer Cooler

Oktoberfest is all about the beer (duh). So instead of carving out a jack-o-lantern, hollow out a pumpkin, fill it up with ice and get to cooling those seasonal ales you love so much.

Brit + Co

Sparkling Pumpkin Cider Beertail

We love sipping on our pumpkin ale straight, but to switch things up, try this beertail made with pumpkin ale, sparkling cider, and lots of cinnamon.

Amazon

MyGift 2 Liter Das Boot Beer Glasses

No, you are never, ever, EVER too old for a das boot. Invest in this set of four for your upcoming shindig because, well, it isn’t an Oktoberfest party without a big ol’ beer-filled boot floating around!

Amazon

TRUE Craft Beer Tasting Glasses

These sleek glasses are the perfect beer vessel for your German-themed get-together, and they’re also just awesome bar staples. Any excuse to grow the home bar, right?

Amazon

Libbey Heidelberg Glass Beer Mugs, Set of 4

Clink the night away with these festive (and hefty!) beer mugs.

The Flair Exchange

DIY Harlequin Garland

No Oktoberfest party is complete without the standard harlequin garland. DIY this puppy and string it up right before your guests arrive.

Braided Crown

A little dress-up never hurt anybody! Complete your Oktoberfest look with this feminine and effortless braided crown. (via Camille Styles)

Etsy

Lederhosen Set

For all moms out there, dress yourlittle one for the occasion. There’s no reason they have to miss out on the party just because of… well… obvious reasons.

A Beautiful Mess

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roast up the pumpkin seeds from your beer cooler for a light and salty beer snack.

Taryn Williford

Pretzel Necklaces

Right when your guests walk in, hand them one of these adorable pretzel necklaces. Who doesn’t love a good wearable snack?

Fashion Edible

Homemade Oktoberfest Pretzels

If beer is the Batman of Oktoberfest, then homemade soft pretzels are certainly the Robin. Serve these puppies up warm with some tangy yellow mustard for the perfect party snack.

Dine & Dish

Homemade Pretzel Bites

Not into full-size pretzels? No problem! These pretzel bites are the bomb.com.

The Flair Exchange

Pretzel Bite Mini Bucket Holders

If you go the pretzel-bite route, be sure to craft up some adorable p-bite holders, like these minibuckets lined with Oktoberfest colors.

Amazon

Maille Mustard Variety Pack

And you best not be serving up all of these pretzels without a little mustard.

Pillsbury

Pretzel Bar

A food bar is always a good idea, especially if you’re expecting lots of guests. Create a pretzel sampling bar, complete with various mustards and cheesy dips, to really get the Oktoberfest-ivities started.

Deliciously Yum

Pretzel Rolls

For those of you planning on having a DIY sandwich station, bake up these yummy pretzel rolls to stick with the theme.

Host the Toast

Pull-Apart Pretzel Skillet With Beer Cheese Dip

Pull-apart breads are everything, especially when there’s beer cheese dip involved.

Brit + Co

Wisconsin Beer Brats With Sauerkraut

Grilled brats topped with homemade sauerkraut? There’s absolutely nothing better.

Love and Lemons

Grilled Potato Arugula Salad

Serve this lovely grilled potato salad alongside those brats for the perfect Oktoberfest meal.

Gimme Some Oven

Pumpkin Beer Bread

Fully commit to the beer theme and whip up this scrumptious pumpkin beer bread made with pumpkin puree.

The Kitchn

Chocolate-Dipped Beer Marshmallows

Beer marshmallows??? Tell us more!

Tablespoon

Beer Mug Cupcakes

These are so ridiculously amazing, we can’t. even. stand it. Those fondant beer mugs are filled with chocolate cake and with Bailey’s Irish Cream chocolate ganache…!!!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more yummy fall recipes!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, we’ve got red, white, and par-tay on the brain. If you’re hosting a backyard BBQ at your place or heading off to a picnic party at the shore, you’ll want to be ready with festive eats, drinks, and decorations. But before you start diving deep into those Pinterest feeds for ideas, check out this list of our favorite finds from the app. It’s got everything from refreshing cocktails to patriotic decorationsand even some style and mani inspo. No need to spend hours creating your own party board!


Freutcake

1. Popsicle Cocktail: Champagne? Yes, please. You can make a mocktail version for the DDs using Sprite. (via Freutcake)

Hello, Wonderful

2. DIY Cardboard Rocket Ships: It’s inevitable that there will be kids present at an event like this. Might as well have something for them to do! These also make great faux-firework decor. (via Hello, Wonderful)

Jordan’s Easy Entertaining

3. DIY Patriotic Napkin Rings: When you’re serving a large group of people, a buffet with pre-wrapped cutlery is the way to go. (via Jordan’s Easy Entertaining)

Tell Love and Party

4. 4th of July Party Poppers: Because you can never have enough confetti. (via Tell Love and Party)

Studio DIY

5. DIY Firework Sunglasses: If you don’t have firecracker sunglasses, are you even living? (via Studio DIY)

Aww Sam

6. DIY S’mores Donuts: Once the sun goes down and the fire is blazing, a tray with these ingredients will quickly disappear. (via Aww Sam)

Love The Day

7. DIY U.S Flag Letterboard: Looking for a thematic way to display the signature cocktail or what’s on the grill? This DIY letterboard is how you’ll do it in style. (via Love The Day)

The House That Lars Built

8. Printable Hot Dog Trays: With a little extra time and some funky cardstock, create these hot dog trays. Save the plates for the burgers and salads! (via The House That Lars Built)

Pretty in Pistachio

9. Red, White, and Blue Fondant Sugar Cookies: Attending a potluck BBQ means it’s one giant competition to see who can make the most Pinterest-worthy dish. You’ll win hands down with this one. (via Pretty in Pistachio)

Design Improvised

10. Star Spangled Banners: Garlands and balloons adorned with stars in red, white, and blue are details that won’t go unnoticed or under-appreciated. (via Design Improvised)

Almost Makes Perfect

11. Printable Match Box Covers: You don’t have to go over the top to celebrate the 4th. Dress up what you’ve already got and call it a day. (via Almost Makes Perfect)

Lovely Indeed

12. DIY Sparkler Packs: It’s not a real Fourth of July without sparklers. (via Lovely Indeed)

A Kailo Chic Life

13. 4th of July Treat Boxes: Bribe the kiddos with these and you won’t hear (or see) them until it’s time for dinner. (via A Kailo Chic Life)

Back to the Book Nutrition

14. Coconut Water and Fresh Berry Popsicles: These frozen pops are delicious and healthy, and they couldn’t be any easier to make. Just drop some berries into popsicle molds, then fill with coconut water and freeze. (via Back to the Book Nutrition)

Pip and Ebby

15. Fruit Cubes: Fruity ice cubes dress up any bevy. For this Fourth of July, place red and blue berries into ice trays, then fill with water and freeze. Break out the cubes when it’s time to party, and they’ll add a festive pop to all your drinks. (via Pip and Ebby)

Life, Love and Sugar

16. Red, White and Blue Rice Krispies Treats: To deck out your Rice Krispies treats in patriotic colors, just dip them in red and blue melts, then add sprinkles and piping. The color-coordinated straws are a nice finishing touch and make them portable. That way, guests can mingle while they nosh. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Must Love Home

17. Parmesan Chive Corn on the Cob: Reminiscent of Mexican street corn, this recipe calls for a healthy dose of butter, grated cheese, and spices. Salty Parmesan adds just the right bite to sweet corn. (via Must Love Home)

Lia Griffith

18. DIY Kraft Paper Chip Bags: Whether your chips are store-bought or homemade, they’ll have scratch-made appeal in these DIY bags. Click through for the red, white, and blue printables. (via Lia Griffith)

Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

19. Double-Sided Red White and Blue Picnic Quilt: Made of red, white, and blue bandanas, this patriotic coverlet is just the thing for an Independence Day backyard picnic. It’s an easy DIY — no binding is needed! — so you can sew it up in just a few hours. (via Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom)

First Home Love Life

20. Squirt Gun Station: Give the kids some squirt gun action. Nothing beats water fun when the weather gets hot and humid. (via First Home Love Life)

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

21. Kiddie Pool to Keep Things Cool: Keep a large quantity of drinks cool and easily accessible for kids by corralling them in a pool of ice. A red or blue plastic kiddie pool will also complement your patriotic theme. (via Balancing Beauty and Bedlam)

If you dig these July Fourth ideas, there’s more. Follow us on Pinterest.

(Additional reporting by Ariel Garneau)

This post has been updated.

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.