13 Red, White + Blue Memorial Day Party Essentials

Peeps, we’re in the home stretch of spring, and you know what that means: a whole new excuse to have your besties over for a Memorial Day bash. Think: a total red, white and blue get-together. If you’re looking to kick this year’s cookout up a notch (or two or three, TBH), you can’t go wrong with an all-American theme. The flag’s colors are *sure* to add a punch of patriotism to your standard burgers-and-dogs party. Scroll down to check out our favorite ways to amp up your Memorial Day party, America style.

1. DIY Flag Photo Booth Backdrop: There’s no better way to show your love for America than a flag photo booth backdrop. Add red, white and blue fabric to your shopping list, because this must-make will give everyone at the party a reason to snap a few pics. (via Brit + Co)

2. Sprinkled Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwiches: If you’re looking for a way to sweeten up your cookout, give your classic vanilla ice cream sandwiches a roll in some patriotic sprinkles to make them next-level. Whether you make your sammies or go with the store-bought version (no judgment here), your guests will not be able to resist this yummy dessert. (via Freutcake)

3. Dessert Pizza: And if a batch of ice cream sandwiches isn’t enough, this dessert pizza will *definitely* impress your guests. Use cake mix or cookie dough to make the crust, then top it off with a layer of marshmallow fluff, strawberries and blueberries to keep with that colorful theme. Patriotism has never tasted so good. (via Brit + Co)

4. DIY Fabric Cozy: Hot summer days call for a nice, cold brewsky. Instead of using your stack of freebies this year, make a set of these fabric cozies that take less than 20 minutes to DIY. Leave a stack next to the beer cooler so your friends can drink in style this Memorial Day. (via Brit + Co)

5. DIY Star Piñatas: It’s not a 21st century party without a couple of piñatas. Make these red and blue ones using star-shaped boxes and streamers to give your space an extra festive vibe. Fill it with whatever screams ‘Merica and you’ll be good to go. (via Studio DIY)

6. Red Piña Colada: Making sure your cocktails go with your theme is essential to being the hostess with the mostess. Use your favorite piña colada recipe and finish it off with a splash of Seagram’s Escapes to give it an extra hint of flavor and some serious color. You’re going to want to pick up *double* what you think you need, because your besties are going to love this drink. (via The TomKat Studio)

7. DIY Edible Pinwheels: Take your basic cupcake to the next level with these red and blue edible pinwheels made from Airheads. Both kids AND adults will love snacking on them. (via Studio DIY)

8. American Flag Donuts: Speaking of something yummy to munch on, donuts are never a bad idea. Use colored icing or candy melts to dress ’em up like Uncle Sam, then get ready to have the most amazing Memorial Day dessert in town. (via The First Year)

9. DIY Stars + Stripes Paper Cups: Skip the Solo cups and opt for blue and white paper cups. Use a Cricut or stencil to make star cutouts and stick them on with double-sided tape. Add a striped paper straw for wow factor. (via The TomKat Studio)

10. Printable Photo Booth Props: Make a few photo booth props with downloadable printables. Cut out the shapes and attach them to paper lollipop sticks for a super easy way to give your photo booth some oomph. (via I Heart Naptime)

11. DIY Tie Dye Placemats: Plastic tablecloths and boring placemats are a thing of the past. Use this tutorial to make a set of DIY firework-inspired placemats using everyone’s favorite summer activity: tie dying. Not only are they perfect for your Memorial Day party, but you can also use them all summer long. (via Brit + Co)

12. PaperNCharm Printable Invitation ($10): You can’t throw an epic party without an even more epic invitation. Ditch the group text this time around and opt for this printable invitation that’ll liven up your pals’ mailboxes and get them hyped for the par-tay.

13. Red, White + Blue Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries: Chocolate-dipped strawberries are a crowd fave when it comes to classic party snacks. Head to the farmers’ market to pick up fresh berries, then dip ’em in white chocolate and blue sprinkles to make them perfect for your Memorial Day cookout. (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)

Are you throwing a Memorial Day bash this year? Follow us on Pinterest for more party inspo!

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

Hosting for the holidays just got a whole lot more magical with Anthropologie’s goodies. From elegant tableware that'll totally "wow" your guests to whimsical decor that sets the perfect festive mood, Anthropologie is the premier destination for polished party essentials. Whether you're planning a chic dinner party or getting lit with your cousins, these are the best finishing touches for a spirited gathering. Get ready to impress your guests with our picks!

Our favorite holiday hosting necessities from Anthropologie:

Let's dive into some of the best holiday hosting pieces from Anthropologie, from tableware to decor!

    Anthropologie

    Holiday in the City Stoneware Dessert Plate

    These adorable dessert plates are available in several different designs, all of which depict a different city pictured in holiday snow. Your Christmas sweet treats will look stunning served on these!

    Anthropologie

    Bow Icon Juice Glasses

    Anthro's viral Icon Juice Glasses are super cute for a variety of occasions, but these bows feel especially holiday-esque. Snag a set for your next gathering's cocktail lineup!

    Anthropologie

    Waterfall Coupe Glasses

    Martini, anyone?! These stunning, shine-lined glasses have the perfect touch of elegance.

    Anthropologie

    Benedita Bow Ceramic Stoneware Serve Bowl

    This serving bowl is perfect for salads, pasta salads, soups, and more. Bring it to a holiday potluck, and everyone will be asking where you got it.

    Anthropologie

    Morgan Shot Glasses

    Now it's really gonna be a party with these colorful shot glasses. Practical in the moment and quite cute when not in use, your bar cart is begging for this set!

    Anthropologie

    Festive Bistro Tile Dessert Plate

    'Tis the season for more and more sweet treats, but you could even serve dinner or apps on these unique dessert plates.

    Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday decor, hosting tips, and recipe ideas for the season!

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

    Christmas has come early for two reasons: Carpool Karaoke is back — and so is Lady Gaga! Wondering what they have in common? Everything!

    The 2010's sensation gave us amazing celebrity appearances with James Corden as driver extraordinaire, and stars like Harry Styles, Katy Perry, and Selena Gomez. Lady Gaga joined the carpool in 2016 — with over 88 million views on Youtube — singing songs like "Million Reasons" and "Bad Romance" to her heart's content.

    Finally, the pop star — and the show itself, TBH — made a return this week! And more than that? Lady Gaga even debuted her new Christmas song. I've already played it multiple times, so I know it's about to top my most-played Christmas songs. Excited? Here's everything you need to know about the surprise song drop, the return of Carpool Karaoke, and more!

    See how Carpool Karaoke gave us the biggest surprise of 2024 — a new Lady Gaga Christmas song!

    www.youtube.com

    - YouTube

    In an unexpected trailer for A Carpool Karaoke Christmas, Zane Lowe can be seen accepting a phone call from the one and only James Corden who has a huge favor to ask. The first passenger Lowe picks up is the "Bad Romance" songstress herself — followed by Chappelle Roan and Dua Lipa's own individual appearances.

    The car's decked out in green wreaths and festive red bows which adds to the Christmas spirit as everyone sings along to famous holiday songs. Lady Gaga can also be heard singing "Christmas Tree" which has fans in the trailer's comment section besides themselves with glee!

    According to Deadline, the special premiered on Apple TV+ December 15, so it's not too late to watch it if you're just as excited as we are. But that's not all!

    The outlet also reported Lady Gaga and Lowe released a new version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" on all streaming music platforms! This means you get to hear the pop star give the nostalgic song a punk rock vibe that's now stuck in our heads.

    If Lady Gaga tells us not to pout or cry, we're going to listen! (And sing along while we're at it 😉)

    Follow us on Facebook for more fun celeb news!

    Forget what Big Internet is telling you: you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a single dress. Target has tons of dress styles that rival that of Nordstrom and Reformation, available for way less. In fact, all of these Target party dresses are on sale right now through November 9. These luxe-looking designs will ensure your look is the talk of the party, no matter what you’re getting up to. From company Christmas parties to a New Year’s Eve night out, you’re most definitely going to find a dress fit for the occasion.

    Our top 14 favorite Target party dresses for the 2024 season:

    Target

    A New Day Midi Lace Trim Dress

    The chic v-neck on this silky midi dress is lined with a lace trim that make it all the more elegant. Pair this pick with a contrasting clutch and your favorite tall boots to totally rock the look!

    Target

    A New Day Drop Tier Maxi Dress

    This is a dress style I gawk over all the time, thanks to none other than Sex and the City. The dramatic drop-waist helps elongate and flatter your figure, so you'll be feeling uber-confident the moment you walk into any party. Plus, this sultry burgundy color is such a perfect fit for winter functions.

    Target

    Wild Fable Rosette Tube Maxi Bodycon Dress

    A tube dress is gonna get me every time. The strapless look is simply iconic because you can show up to the party covered up in a cardigan, then make the big reveal once things start to turn up. The statement rosette on this pick's neckline is a whole accessory in itself, so all you need is a good pair of statement earrings to complete the ensemble!

    Target

    Wild Fable Long Sleeve Flocked Mini Fit & Flare Dress

    Want a bit of coverage, but still want to feel sexy? This off-the-shoulder party dress is for you! The long sleeves and textured velvet material make it feel much more winter-appropriate, but you still get to show off your neckline.

    Target

    Wild Fable Tiered Bow Mini Lace Dress

    I am still thoroughly obsessed with bows, which is why I'm definitely snagging this style for any upcoming holiday shindigs. The tiered styling is undeniably flattering, and the black trim qualifies this party dress to be a good match with other black pieces, from jackets to boots.

    Target

    Ava & Viv Long Sleeve Rosette Midi A-Line Dress

    When it comes to wintery fabrics, velvet reigns supreme. This playful square-neck mini dress is super soft to the touch and has the perfect amount of personality, thanks to the lil' rosette decal up front.

    Target

    Wild Fable Open Work Sequin Midi Dress

    Yes, yes, and yes. This is my favorite Target party dress of them all. Though simple in its silhouette, the multicolored sequins do all the talking. Since this long dress makes a statement all on its own, I'd style it with some simple heels.

    Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday outfit inspo!

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

    I knew beauty trends were officially headed in a different direction when latte makeup dominated social media last year. Everything about it gave the appearance of soft features, making this millennial appreciate the ‘no makeup’ look more and more. And while I'm working on staying up-to-date on all the latest makeup trends, it also reminded me there are outdated trends that unintentionally age people...and definitelyneedto go.

    Wanna look younger and more on-trend, too? From super metallic eyeshadow to contour that dominates your face, here are the 8 outdate makeup trends to leave in the early ‘90s to mid-2000s.

    The 8 outdated makeup trends you need to stop ASAP!

    1. Full Coverage Foundation

    KoolShooters

    There was a time where wearing full-coverage foundation was all the rage. From drugstore to high-end brands, it seems like they were consistently shoved in consumers’ faces to help us achieve a ‘full beat’ without sitting in a makeup artist’s chair. Also, those of us with dark spots or hyperpigmentation may have relied on them when we were in the thick of our skincare woes.

    But these days, wearing too much foundation isn’t as popular as natural and skincare makeup are prioritized. If anything, more people are interested in wearing light-to-medium coverage foundation, skin tints, or tinted moisturizers.

    2. Too Much Concealer

    George Milton

    It wasn’t until I watched this video by makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes that I realized some of us have been too heavy-handed with our concealers. There’s no reason we should be slapping products under the thinnest parts of our face, but we didn’t know any better!

    Now that you know you can still get the desired effect with a minimal amount of concealer, don’t revert back to painting your under eyes!

    3. 'Baking' Your Setting Powder

    Chidi Young

    Before you throw away your setting powders, step away from your makeup drawer and have a sit-down chat with me. There isn’t anything wrong with applying them to your face to help ‘set’ your foundation and concealer. However, spending over 10 minutes ‘baking’ your powder (AKA letting it sit untouched) doesn’t work for everyone.

    It can lead to creased makeup which can derail your look, plus it’s a pain to correct when you’re halfway through your routine!

    4. Overlining Lips

    Kaboompics.com

    I love a good lip liner, especially if it mirrors my favorite ‘90s makeup look. But, there’s such a thing as overdoing it. The key to lining your lips is following the natural flow of them. Going out of your way to draw above and under your lips’ lines comes off as comical and exaggerated. If anything, use a lip plumping gloss to help your lips look fuller.

    5. Overtweezing Your Eyebrows

    Getty Images

    I don’t even have the words for this outdated makeup look besides wanting to say “no” 20 times in a row. But, I’ll bite and say why this shouldn’t be on your 2025 beauty moodboard.

    Some people naturally have thinner eyebrows which is A-okay! However, purposely tweezing your eyebrows to smithereens is cringey. If you truly want to wear this look, here’s what you can do instead of tweezing:

    • Create a faux bleached look by applying a skin tone colored setting powder all over your brows.
    • Once they’ve ‘disappeared,’ take an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner to draw a thin line over them.

    I’m…wondering what the ramifications of telling you how to do this will be, but only use go for this look if it’s a part of a themed party…like Halloween.

    6. Exaggerated Highlighter On Cheeks

    Milad Farhani

    The shimmery look is in since it’s winter, but please don’t make it look like you dipped your cheeks into a vat of glitter. You can lightly dust highlighter onto your cheeks for a more natural glow that flows with the rest of your look. Otherwise you’ll look like a walking disco ball which could be the opposite of what you were going for.

    7. Heavy Contour Or Bronzer

    Laura Garcia

    I know the ‘sculpted’ look is popular, but too much contour or bronzer can overpower the rest of your makeup and face. While it’s not impossible to fix if you do it by mistake, using the wrong shade of contour or bronzer may still peep through no matter how much you try to buff it out.

    When in doubt, be gentle with your contour or bronzer application!

    8. Incredibly Matte Makeup

    Nataliia Yatsiuk

    Matte makeup that didn’t budge was the ‘It Girl’ look for oily and combination skin girls! We thought it was the answer to our skin’s incessant need to hydrate our faces instead of actually using skincare products that focused on combatting that issue (psst…Vitamin C serums help!).

    But now’s the time to break up with this look for good for one reason: dewy skin looks healthier.

    While we have you here, learn about the outdated shoe trends you shouldn't be wearing in 2025 either.

    As much as I love the wholesome parts of the holidays (like decorating Christmas cookies and opening gifts in the morning), one of my absolute favorite parts about the end of the year is ringing in a new one. 2025 is on its way, baby, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already scheming up a New Year's party plan. The key to a good time is definitely having a great outfit – and these 12 Abercrombie & Fitch party dresses are actually perfect for the occasion. I’m talkin’ sequins, mesh, and even leopard print.

    Get ready to stand out this season in these drop-dead gorgeous Abercrombie & Fitch party dresses!

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Strapless Drop-Waist Maxi Dress

    Drop waists will always get me. Plus, they're so flattering! This flowy maxi can be conveniently worn with or without straps to suit your personal style.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Long-Sleeve Sheer Hem Mini Dress

    The scooped neckline on this stunning mini dress is mirrored along the back, which dips a bit lower for a sultry vibe. Pair with some basic heels, and your 'fit is complete.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Collared Zip-Up Midi Dress

    The ruching along the front of this zip-up dress is super flattering, drawing eyes to your waistline. The high leg slit feels flirtatious as ever, which could be just the vibe you're needing for your New Year's plans.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Satin Slip Maxi Dress

    Slip dresses are simply timeless and so easy to style. Lean more '90s with this foxy leopard print. I'd def wear it with some black boots and a black faux fur jacket for the drama (and more importantly, the warmth).

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Long-Sleeve Mesh Maxi Dress

    This meshy maxi comes with a mini-length slip along the inside so you won't have to constantly worry about coverage. The material still shows your skin in all the right places!

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Strapless Pleated Skort Dress

    This preppy piece can easily be played up for a party – if anything, I think the tailored look gives the impression that you're super polished. Slip into this strapless skort dress (yep, there's built-ini shorts!), step into some cute kitten heels, throw on a shaggy coat, and you're set!

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Long-Sleeve Off-The-Shoulder Satin Mini Dress

    I could see this one working just as well for a Christmas dinner as it would for a rather lit New Year's get-together. The off-the-shoulder look is simply so sweet!

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Straight Neck Sequin Midi Dress

    Sequins. Need I say more?! You'll immediately stand out among the crazy New Year's crowds in this fancy, disco ball-esque frock.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Off-The-Shoulder Rhinestone Maxi Dress

    If full-on sequins aren't quite your thing, you can still put on a bit of shimmer with this dress that's dotted in tiny rhinestones. It comes in this amazing nude color or black to best suit your style!

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    High-Neck Satin Sculpt Midi Dress

    While the front of this sleek midi is more modest, the back features an open design that lets you show some more skin. It's definitely on the elegant side, so I'd advise wearing it to a fancy cocktail hour or more low-key NYE party this year.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Emerson Off-The-Shoulder Skort Dress

    Polka dots always feel super energetic to me, so if you want to be the one to get the party started, this is the dress for you! Plus, it'll make for some super cute Instagram pics. The design includes some built-in shorts, so coverage won't be an issue throughout the night.

    Abercrombie & Fitch

    Satin Embellished Strapless Mini Dress

    Oh, this one is perfect. The tiny rhinestone embellishments will certainly have heads tuning your way.

    Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more seasonal fashion picks!

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