pinspiration: a stars and stripes hostess...

Happy Independence Day to all of my fellow American readers. I hope that whatever you're up to today, you have a lot of fun. Here are my best bets for the hostess - what to serve, what to wear, and the ultimate July 4th Americana playlist.

this week's clicks.

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader Jon Batiste has a new holiday album out this year - love this track with Aloe Blacc.

SWOON.

Carla Choy Photography via Style Me Pretty

• Can I pretty please be invited to this glam dinner party?
• Drooling over Camille Styles' chocolate + cheese board.
• A fun and lovely paper wedding send-off garland.
• Chic NYE inspiration from photographer Izzy Hudgins.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Giants + Pilgrims, Sea of Atlas, Smashing.
• These cute, affordable earrings are perfect for the holidays.
• A DIY CHRISTMAS TREE CAKE from Alana Jones-Mann.
• Have you seen Pinterest's 100 trend predictions for 2017?

FLASHBACK.

• 2015: my treat yourself wish list, decoupaged world map ornaments, and a mini home tour featuring a glam woodland tree.
• 2014: my holiday home tour.
• 2013: my favorite account of Christmas, wrote to Santa, showed off my chalkboard ornaments and shared a holiday home tour.
• 2012: a Sunday Social all about favorites, gave a holiday home tour and ideas for displaying cards, and rounded up my blog loves and my own most popular posts of 2012.  I also shared my December in Instagram.
• 2011: my favorite things in our home. 

Independence Day recipes: side dishes for 4th of july cookouts

Here's the scenario:  you've received an invite to a potluck Independence Day celebration and decide to bring a side dish - just like you do every year.  Here are some suggestions for how to break out of your usual rut and spice up this summer's cookouts!

last year, you brought tomato and cucumber salad...

this year, bring chicken salad stuffed tomatoes from Eating Well!

last year, you brought broccoli salad...

this year, bring grape salad from Love of Family and Home!

last year, you brought deviled eggs...

this year, bring crab meat deviled eggs from Country Living!

last year, you brought classic potato salad...

this year, bring potato salad with bacon and sun-dried tomatoes from Country Living!

last year, you brought classic pasta salad...

this year, bring fiesta chicken pasta salad from Life as a Lofthouse!

last year, you brought zucchini fries...

this year, bring zucchini tots from Skinny Taste!

last year, you brought sweet potato fries...

this year, bring roasted red pepper and garlic hummus from A Farmgirl's Dabbles!

celebrate: brazilian-themed london 2012 closing ceremonies party recipes

BRAZILIAN FLAIR.

Photo of Brazilian athletes entering the Opening Ceremonies by Laurence Griffiths via Zimbio.

Since London is passing the Summer Olympic Games to Rio de Janeiro for 2016, I think a Brazilian themed party is the greatest idea for this Sunday!  Party stores and even dollar stores should have tropical-themed decorations on sale right now since it's the end of summer- just remember to steer more toward tropical than luau.  A pretty bowl or cake stand piled with pineapples, mangoes and other tropical fruit would be a simple but eye-catching centerpiece.

More Brazilian Recipes for Your Closing Ceremonies Party:

One of the major elements of the ceremony will be handover from London to Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Olympic Games.  I think it would be fun to serve some Brazilian food at a Closing Ceremonies get-together.  I've shared a few Brazilian recipes on the blog recently, but here are even more Brazilian and Brazil-inspired dishes to try on Sunday!

Appetizers:
Black-Eyed Pea Fritters from Emeril Lagasse
Chicken Croquettes (Coxinha) from About.com
Salt Cod Croquettes (Bolinhos) from Kitchen Daily
Cod Croquettes from Ingrid Hoffman
Brazilian Black Bean Soup from Cooks.com

Main Courses:
Brazilian BBQ Steak and Vinaigrette Sauce from Simple Recipes
Brazilian Pot Roast from Cooks.com
Feijoada (Pork and Black Bean Stew) from SimplyRecipes
Feijoada from Emeril Lagasse
Feijoada from Jamie Oliver
Feijoada from Everyday with Rachael Ray
Brazilian Black Beans and Chicken from Cooks.com
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Brazilian Vinaigrette Salsa from Emiril Lagasse
Duck with Orange from AllEasyRecipes
Seared Salmon on Rice with Brazilian Vinaigrette from Martha Stewart
Moqueca (Red Snapper) from Emeril Lagasse
Grilled Hearts of Palm and Crab Salad with Mango from Bobby Flay
Piri Piri Grilled Shrimp from Tanya Holland
Vinha d'Alho Shrimp from Serious Eats
Shrimp and Okra Gumbo from About.com
Brazilian Fish Stew from Martha Stewart
Brazilian Black Bean Stew from Everyday with Rachael Ray

Sides:
Brazilian Black Beans with Beets from Martha Stewart
Vegetable Curry with Spicy Tomato and Coconut Sauce from Food.com
Acocado-Citrus Salad from AllEasyRecipes
Oven Baked Sweet Plantains from Food.com

Breads:
Easy Brazilian Cheese Bread from Simply Recipes
Brazilian Honey-Spice Bread from Cooks.com

Cocktails:
Caipirinha from Emeril Lagasse
Mango Lime Caipirinha from Grill it! with Bobby Flay
Plum Caipirinha from Food Network Kitchens
Capirosca from Food.com
Brazilian Iced Coffee from Cooks.com
Brazilian Coffee Cocktail from Food Network Magazine

Desserts:
Simple Brazilian Flan from GroupRecipes
Orange Flan from Emeril Lagasse
Cuscuz Branco from SparkPeople
Brazilian Coconut Cookies from AllEasyRecipes
Coconut Cake from Serious Eats
Banana Sponge Cake from AllEasyRecipes
Cinnamon Raindrop Doughnuts from About.com
Brazilian Coffee Cookies from Cooks.com
Chocolate Bonbons from Food.com

Desserts with a Twist (not specifically Brazilian recipes, but incorporate flavors popular in Brazilian cuisine):
Avocado Ice Cream from Two Peas and Their Pod
Coconut Honey Ice Cream from Eat. Drink. Love.
Coconut Macaroons from Worldly Recipes
Coconut Chocolate Bonbons from Worldly Recipes
Coconut Wafers with Coconut Granita from Everyday with Rachael Ray
Chocolate-Coffee Meringues from SHAPE
Dulce de Leche Caramel Swirl Cupcakes from Whipped
Dulce de Leche Bars from Your Home Based Mom

Other Sources: London 2012, Digital Spy, The Mirror, BBC