If there's ever an appropriate time to be *a bit* over-the-top with your food presentation, it's when the Fourth of July comes around. Be it an extra colorful caprese salad, or a lineup of spirited cocktails, repping the color of the American flag for your celebrations is definitely the way to go. And if you're planning to bring a dish to the BBQ, you might as well go BIG. Show your patriotism the only way a foodie can, and create one of the 28 recipes below.
Take a cue from one of our favorite singers with this Memorial Day recipe. This throwback tribute to T. Swift’s 2014 cake will always be worthy of bringing back via baking pan. (via Brit + Co.)
If you want to set off some serious fireworks at your Fourth of July BBQ, be sure to whip up a creamy, berry-filled treat like this one! Loads of berries make for a healthier alternative to other dessert options, which is always a good idea. (via Brit + Co.)
What’s the only thing better than homemade donuts? Nothing. Except when they’re red, white, and blue all over. Keep 'em plain or add sprinkles, chocolate chips, or even edible glitter. However you choose to serve them, they're sure to be the star of the show. (via Brit + Co.)
If you’ve already got a couple of boxes of white cake mix, you’re well on your way to making this simple poke cake. Once you’ve poked your holes in the cake, black cherry gelatin is poured in and left to form those signature red stripes. Yummm. (via Brit + Co.)
For a healthier treat option, these chocolate-covered bananas lend themselves to some pretty cool decorations, alongside getting in some fruit! (via Brit + Co.)
Caprese salad just got a fruity update. It’s hard to beat the simple combo of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil — unless you add a handful of blueberries, too! (via Brit + Co.)
Have pie, will travel (to the BBQ, of course). Try out different flavors of cream pie, or just make yours plain. Whichever you choose, don't forget about the berries on top! Our personal fave design is the star, but the stripes work *just* as well. (via Brit + Co.)
Jello shots are a must for the 4th. Instead of choosing between red, white or blue, why not layer all three? Top each shot with a squirt of whipped cream and edible blue glitter to make them really special. We'll take two, please! (via Brit + Co.)
If you’re scrambling for a last minute treat to bring to your neighborhood BBQ, scramble no more! This festive, patriotic treat is perfectly summery and super easy to make. (via Brit + Co.)
This delish DIY pudding will satisfy your craving for something sweet, *and* it’s totally vegan, so it's great for anyone who deals with dietary restrictions. What’s more, it’s super simple to prepare for your holiday picnic. Drizzle some honey on top for good measure. (via Brit + Co.)
Get your chill fill of creamy desserts a la classic cone, layered milkshake, or ice cream “soup.” YUM. Try one of these recipes, or try a different one each day of the holiday weekend! (via Brit + Co.)
Funfetti is always a great idea, but you *might* want to buy more sprinkles than you think you need… just in case you feel like adding extra on top. The good news is that this technique of icing the cake is a lot easier than it looks, and is a great beginner baker method to know. (via Brit + Co.)
Red, white and blue desserts don’t have to be artificially colored. These swirled homemade popsicles feature a mix of yogurt and berries that mimic the colors of the flag – naturally. (via Real Food By Dad)
This refreshing cocktail will be the buzz of your cookout. Hibiscus tea, fresh ber ries, and lemon sparkling water combine with vodka to make the most incredible summer drink that’s perfect for Independence Day. Just leave out the booze to make it appropriate for anyone who prefers a mocktail. Don't worry, it's still super tasty. (via My Modern Cookery)
Get your sparklers ready, because this cake deserves some *extra* bling. Taking the time to add some food coloring to your cake batter results in a beautiful pattern you’ll be so excited to cut into. The star-shaped sprinkles are just the cherry on top. (via Love Bakes Good Cakes)
Infuse this easy (and healthy!) yogurt treat with sliced strawberries, blueberries, and granola to emulate the colors of the American flag! (via Feel Good Foodie)
This popcorn is decorated with ALL the sprinkles, and is sure to cause a few new fireworks. Fill some paper bags with popcorn, and gift them to your party guests as they arrive. This is perfect for a loooong night of snacking. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
The Fourth of July is the USA's birthday, so it only makes sense that you make her a birthday cookie cake to celebrate! Use seasonal red, white and blue M&M’s and a ton of sprinkles to decorate. Making cookie cake yourself is also great because you know exactly what ingredients are added, and can make any swaps you need to. (via Crazy For Crust)
This star-spangled dessert is so simple to prepare, it’s practically unconstitutional. Investing in a few different sizes of star-shaped cookie cutters allows you to create a fun pie dough crust in place of a traditional lattice topping. (via The Simple Sweet Life)
Red velvet is the obvious choice for a patriotic cupcake. It’s vibrantly red, and it’s a southern-bred staple recipe, perfect for any Independence Day occasion. Top with cream cheese icing to keep it classic, and then go crazy with red, white, and blue sprinkles. (via Olivia’s Cuisine)
Everyone will love that they get their own personal brownie bite, and you’ll love how easy they are to make. To prepare the pizza base, you’ll bake your brownie batter in a sheet pan and use a biscuit cutter to cut out each individual round. (via Whole and Heavenly Oven)
This refreshing 4th of July recipe will come in handy for hot summer nights. (via Feel Good Foodie)
If individual parfaits seem too cumbersome to serve for a party, keep in mind that you can make all the components ahead of time and assemble right before serving. Even those show-stopping edible stars can be made way in advance to make your life easier! (via Just a Taste)
If the holiday snuck up on you this year, these fruit skewers are the perfect last-minute patriotic addition to your BBQ buffet. Simply by threading blueberries and strawberries on a skewer and drizzling white chocolate on top, you’ll create a tasty treat that looks like it took you all day. (via Nourished Peach)
If sangria is more your speed, then you need to make a *huge* pitcher of this recipe before your cookout. In addition to adding some berries, take a few minutes to cut out some apple stars for a garnish — you’ll be glad you did. (via Gimme Some Oven)
Seriously, how cute are these candies? Definitely get the kids involved to save yourself from sticky fingers. They're the perfect firework-watching treat that everyone on the block will want to taste. (via Mom on Timeout)
When you bring out a platter of these red, white, and blue treats at your BBQ, people will *gasp* with nostalgic emotion. This classic dessert is so good, you may want to think about setting a few aside for a midnight snack. (via Food Fanatic)
We’ve all heard of poke cake, but have you ever had it in cupcake form? These are so moist and flavorful, you’d never know they’re made with all boxed ingredients. For an extra frosty treat, freeze the blueberries before you put them on top. (via Taste and Tell)
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This post has been updated.
I've been working from home since long before it became the norm. And my "office" has evolved from a spindled-back chair at the kitchen table to an airy home office with a view. Back then, my productivity took a hit without essentials like adequate storage space, comfortable seating, and a bit of privacy. While it has its perks, working from home comes with its fair share of challenges; your home office setup doesn't need to be one of them.
A cluttered desk equals a cluttered mind, IMO. Reduce the stress that comes with a disorganized and cluttered desk by bringing in shelves and organizers; finding sleek cable-management solutions; and removing any unnecessary items to reduce visual distractions.
If you're sitting most of the day, it's so important to invest in a good desk chair. An unsupportive chair or poorly sized desk can be uncomfortable, making it harder to stay focused for long periods of time. Your back will thank you!
Distractions at home like kids and partners can kill your productivity. Avoid blurring the line between work and home life by designating a private space, separate from high-traffic spaces, for your work hours if you can. Use rugs, curtains, or acoustic panels to reduce noise too.
I get it, they're not the best-looking pieces in your home, but without proper filing systems you’ll waste time hunting for important documents or supplies. Invest in modern storage options that look good too from Mustard Made and The Container Store.
Slow Internet or outdated tech tools can make you feel totally frustrated and can slow down your productivity. Upgrade your Internet to a faster connection, and refresh your tech gadgets and programs to make sure you work more efficiently.
Placing your desk in a spot with too much noise, traffic, or distractions — like facing a TV — will guarantee to disrupt your concentration. Find a more zen spot where you can focus on the tasks of the day.
Check your monitor height, keyboard positioning, and add a wrist rest so you don't lead to feeling uncomfortable and fatigued, cutting your workday short.
A sterile, uninspiring office design does your motivation and creativity no favors. Make work feel less like a chore by adding personal touches through artwork, personal photos, candles, some fresh flowers or plants. Greenery can improve air quality and actually reduce work stress. Add a little snack station for quick energy boosts and keep water handy. Also, your Zoom backgrounds should reflect your personality!
No matter what you do — whether it's a creative work or something more analytical — you want to feel inspired. Personalization can help, but dive into vision boards, books, magazines, quotes that inspire your work and help you bring fresh ideas to your workday. Color psychology can help too: blues and greens encourage focus and reduce stress while pops of yellow or orange can spark creativity! Break out the paint if needed!
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
As tons of Memorial Day sales begin to ramp up, Amazon's deals have already started – super early. There are tons of savings to take advantage of for the holiday on all sorts of categories, from tech to home goods. Since we're a few days away from Memorial Day, we're highlighting only the best early deals you can shop right now. Scroll for more from the Amazon Memorial Day sale!
Photo by cottonbro studio / PEXELS
Memorial Day is May 27 this year, but Amazon's sale started a few weeks in advance. As we get closer to the holiday, we'll see even more deals develop.
Photo by Kindel Media / PEXELS
Amazon's Memorial Day sale has deals on everything from headphones, TVs, vacuums, kitchen appliances, home goods like sheets and towels, and many more practical items.
49% off
You'll save about $170 when you shop these noise-cancelling headphones on Amazon right now. Here's to more focused work days and fuss-free flights!
38% off
If you just can't ditch your music (or fave podcast) when you're on the go, AirPods are a saving grace. If you snag 'em from Amazon now, you'll save about $50!
35% off
This smart vac does all the work for you, which, if you ask us, is totally worth the investment. This early Amazon Memorial Day deal saves you $95 dollars on the fancy-schmancy cleaning machine.
27% off
This deal will make you wanna whip something up in the kitchen, ASAP. It's currently 27% off, which means you save a whopping $150! You can be sure that this KitchenAid stand mixer is uber-durable and easy to use with 10 different speeds for exactly what you need.
22% off
Memorial Day weekend is *the* time to pick up a mattress if you've been wanting an upgrade. before you shop anywhere else, check out Amazon's sale, because it has amazing deals like this one: save $75 total, spending just $275 for a totally brand-new queen mattress!
21% off
This hair removal device is the perfect personal tech to get your hands on ahead of summertime. It's completely painless but oh-so effective, providing results in just 3 weeks. Save $70 now! Vacation is calling!
Time for a bed refresh? You can snag this complete sheet set in a slew of different colors for about $26.
18% off
You'd never guess this luxe-looking couch is from Amazon. With the Memorial Day sale, save $265 on your way to a dreamy living room upgrade.
18% off
If the Memorial Day weekend deals are screaming "treat yourself," opt for these Apple headphones that'll really show your wired ones who's boss.
17% off
If there's one thing we absolutely need in our kitchen, it's an air fryer! Luckily, this fan-favorite model is on deal for just $100 (you save $20 total), so you can cook up some amazing air fryer recipes.
16% off
Up your at-home game with this air purifier made for large spaces. It's meant to filter out all the dirt, dust, and odor, so you can lounge around and sleep with the cleanest inside air possible. Save $30 now!
13% off
It's never too late to get on your fitness grind, and the Peloton bike is downright addicting since you can keep it at home and work out whenever you want. It's an investment, but you'll save about $200 when you purchase it now!
35% off
Get your hands on this affordable breast pump that doesn't require you to spend over $300. It comes with flanges that are doubled-sealed, have 3 modes, and 9 levels for all your pumping needs. You'll save $90 which is a plus in my book!
47% off
Save $70 on this chic, nonstick pots and pans set. There's 10 pieces that'll cover your basic cooking needs and you can rest easy knowing they're incredibly durable.
50% off
The kiddos deserve to have some fun in the sun and water this summer which is why this splash pad is the perfect investment. For just $20, the toddlers in your life can have fun while learning to name various animals in alphabetical order.
25% off
The moment you've been waiting for has arrived! You can finally snag your own compact blender to make the most delicious strawberry smoothie you've been talking non-stop about.
41% off
This cute diffuser is the perfect addition to any space in your home if you're looking for other ways to freshen it up. It comes with a remote that allows you to set a timer or allow a delicious-smelling scent to continuously fill the room.
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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
