No Cook, No Fuss Fourth Of July Party

This summer, I decided that I’m going to make every celebration as easy as I possibly can. That means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the outdoors with a drink in hand, laughing with my friends. Usually my husband John does most of the cooking (ok, all of the cooking!) and most events leave him stuck in the kitchen most of the day. He doesn’t necessarily mind cooking, but he does get frustrated having to spend the whole day running around- back and forth to the stove, the oven, and the grill while still trying to hang out. Because this is the fate of pretty much every party host since the beginning of time, I decided that I wanted to create a no-cook Fourth of July party. I figured where better to start than Trader Joe’s! I’ve been a fan of Trader Joe’s for a while now (and this post is in no way sponsored by them) so I thought it be a great place to go and get some ready-made, delicious, fresh options for a Fourth of July party. 

*This post contains affiliate links.

Before we get into the food, let’s talk about the table setup. For starters, I decided that I’m tired of always having crappy disposable plates and cups that are terrible for the environment and always manage to blow away. In addition, everyone always ends up losing their cup and using a whole bunch of extra ones- which makes it even worse for the environment. Because of this, I decided that I was going to use only reusable items and keep the party smaller so that I can have a nice intimate gathering with my guests where we could actually talk instead of spending the entire time trying to cater to a huge group and just spending the whole party cooking. 

Related: Use This, Not That: Eco-Friendly Party Swaps

Before I bought any party supplies, I searched my house for appropriate red, white and blue items. First, I grabbed an affordable tablecloth that I had purchased from Amazon. The table runner was from Home Goods and it was perfect for adding a pop of blue to the table. Then I added a red star table runner I had purchased years ago from H&M on top so there’s also a pop of red. On the sides of the table where the runner did not extend, I used reusable napkins as placemats. The red stripe plates were from Target as part of their Hearth & Hand collection and were ideal for adding the perfect nautical touch to the table spread. I used my regular utensils from my dinner set and added a red napkin, folded in half to keep it simple.  Then I scattered some blue tea light holders with battery operated tea lights to add a little light and romance as the sun goes down.

Now, onto the Trader Joe’s stuff that I purchased for this party that I’m so excited about! I originally went to Trader Joe’s for only a few items, including flowers and a pie. I managed to find red, white and blue flowers that were only a few dollars each and added a nice touch to the table. When I went to the bakery section, I found a pie which couldn’t be more perfect for the Fourth of July. It’s strawberry rhubarb (YUM) and it has stars on the crust (what?!). I grabbed those two items and continued about my normal shopping trip, when I realized there were so many easy and delicious options that were ready-made that would be perfect for a Fourth of July party. So, I decided that I was going to grab them and I changed this event from just a regular Fourth of July tablescape to a Trader Joe’s easy-to-do party theme. Because let’s be honest, if we can find a great shortcut, we want to do it!

I went to the drink section and grabbed some Red Stripe beers and Spiked Seltzer, both of which had a great nautical red, white and blue theme to them. I think one of the best parts about this is that you don’t even need cups, so it’s one less thing to wash, less waste if you’re using plastic cups, and everyone will know which drink is theirs because it’ll just be in front of them or in their hand. Plus, having the option of a beer or a spiked seltzer means that you’ll have something for everyone. They’ve also got great rosés and craft beers if you chose to go that route too. Or to really celebrate the 4th, you could pick an American beer!

I decided to keep the food super simple just like everything else. I made a salad with mixed greens, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and feta cheese to keep with that red white and blue theme. You can also add nuts like sliced almonds if you want to! I added Trader Joe’s vinaigrette on the side so that people could serve themselves and the salad wouldn’t get mushy.

I also decided to make a really simple cheese and charcuterie platter since we all love a good cheese! I started by using a goat cheese log covered in blueberries- again, going with the theme.  I served them with bread crisps, which ended up being really good. Usually these types of crackers end up being rock hard and not good (at all) but these were really soft and crispy, the perfect texture to hold the goat cheese and meats. They also work great for avocado toast too! 

I picked up a meat platter in the refrigerated section and everything was pre-sliced and ready to go. I personally don’t eat these types of meats (I pretty much just eat chicken and turkey!) but I figured it be great for everyone else to enjoy. Trader Joe’s also has tons of ready-made salads, sandwiches, and pasta salads so you could grab some pre-made meals for your gals. Just place them on a pretty platter and everything’s ready to go with no fuss and no cooking!

Aside from the fact that everything so simple to do, Trader Joe’s is actually very affordable and I prefer getting pre-made things from their supermarket over others. For starters, Trader Joe’s is usually smaller than most supermarkets, and I think that’s what makes it better. Instead of wandering the aisles looking at 1 million different brands and getting overwhelmed, you’re able to see everything laid out really nicely and neatly. You know where all the pre-made stuff is and you have a choice of only the best items, so you never have to worry that the things that you purchase are going to be bad for your guests. I also love that they have a great selection of craft beers and that you’re able to mix and match your own set, which is perfect for trying new ones out. 

Ever since baby Hailey came around, I find that I want to keep my events as simple as possible. In the end, it’s all about spending time with friends- having fun and getting to hear about each other’s day. We’ve all become busy and have our own full lives, so we need to take a break from all that to relax and unwind. The opposite of relaxing is spending the whole day cooking for everyone! So, run out to your local Trader Joe’s and grab some pre-made meals for your friends. Then kick back and relax- it’s all been taken care of!

What are your favorite pre-made Trader Joe’s products to serve your guests? Will you be skipping the cooking at your next summer event? Let me know in the comments below!

Use This, Not That: Eco-Friendly Party Swaps

Although I love (love love love!) party supplies, I had to take a step back and think about my contribution to the trash of this world. It's no secret that single-use plastics are polluting the planet, especially because most of the time they aren't actually recycled. We've all seen images of trash-filled beaches, trash islands in the ocean twice as big as Texas, and floating trash in the Caribbean Sea. As much as we think our trash is gone, it really isn't. Time and time again, we are seeing it pop up in oceans, landfills, and beaches. It's our responsibility to do all we can to improve these conditions. Because of this, I am going to try to do something practically no DIY and party blogger has done before- strive to be more eco-friendly and show you more sustainable methods for your parties. Because while these projects and party themes may be cute, they're killing the planet. And you don't have to sacrifice style to be eco-conscious. To start off small, I'm showing you 10 ways that you can make easy swaps for your next party!

*This post contains affiliate links

Wooden Cutlery Instead of Plastic

Single-use plastic utensils are probably the biggest waste of money and resources. But, they're so easily accessible and convenient! I challenge you to try wooden cutlery for your next party. There are so many ways that you can customize the utensils if you wanted to, but honestly they are totally fine as-is! They come in fun shapes and colors, but I think tying them with a simple ribbon can also add a nice pop of color similar to the way plastic forks can. Or, try decorating the handle with washi tape for an easy, stress-free look!

Paper Straws Instead of Plastic

I think we've all seen that tragic story of a straw being pulled out of a turtle's nose. Along with being absolutely heartbreaking, we know it's unnecessary. There are so many times we get a straw and don't need one. Any time I'm at a restaurant, I get a cup and a straw- and I always give back the straw. For your next party, try switching to paper straws. There are SO MANY fun designs, which makes them even better for mixing and matching the theme. They're pretty affordable too, and can be used after the party for ordinary drinks. They don't last as long as plastic straws (which is a good thing!) so be sure to keep them out of the liquids until guests are ready to drink.

Compostable Plates Instead of Plastic

Another easy swap is going from plastic plates to paper or compostable ones! Plastic party plates aways end up in regular trash (not recycling) and that's a huge amount of plastic going straight to the landfill. Try switching to something more eco-friendly, like these sugarcane/bagasse plates. You can also use paper plates, which are still better than plastic ones. Look for uncoated paper plates, which can be composted if you're into that sort of thing. This article explains a little more about it.

Reusable Melamine Plates Instead of Disposable

If you really want to be eco-friendly, reduce and reuse! Instead of going for disposable items, invest in a cute set of reusable melamine plates that can match any theme. I love these because they are white on top but have a fun pop of color underneath. If you want to go this route but can't afford the investment, consider going in with a group of friends to create a complete party set. Then, you can put it in a giant container and share it whenever it's needed! Fostering community and saving the environment. What could be better?!

BYO-Cup Party Instead of Disposable

I had a party earlier this year and I decided the theme was Bring Your Own Cup! Each guest brought a cup of their choice to drink out of for the night. This is fantastic because you don't need to worry about having cups for everyone and you don't ned to wash dishes either! I can't tell you how many parties I've been to where I'm tossing out dozens of plastic cups because no one knew which cup was theirs. This solves that problem even better than a sharpie! I always use my disco ball cup for parties, but my new favorite is a pineapple cup or shell cup for summer. The options are endless!

Reusable Cups That Double as a Favor

If you don't have enough cups for the group, how about purchasing a set of reusable cups that can double as favors? Home Goods always has tons of cute and affordable cups that you could purchase as a favor, and they're definitely better than giving a bag of plastic toys that kids play with for 2 minutes and forget about! This idea would be great for both kids and adults. Just make sure you don't get anything too cheap and crappy- you don't want it going right in the trash!

Personalized Mason Jars Instead of Plastic Cups

Another alternative to plastic favor cups is to use glass mason jars as cups. You can find these in almost any store (like Michael's, Target, or similar) and they've always got sales. To personalize them, use a Sharpie to write each guest's name. This way, everyone knows which cup is theirs! Add a cute paper straw and you're in business.

Paper Fans Instead of Tissue Paper Poms

Tissue paper poms are easy party decor items that takes up a lot of space, but they don't store well so you can't re-use them. Once they've been unfolded and fluffed, they're pretty much trash. Try using paper fans instead! They come in every color and pattern imaginable, plus they fold up again if you want to re-use them, especially if you use my handy dandy hack! They don't take up a lot of room to store because they fold so compactly, but once they're set up they really make an impact!

Honeycomb Balls Instead of Balloons

Unfortunately, we are starting to see that even balloons aren't good for the environment. Releasing them can have devastating effects, as they can get tangled up with animals or land in places they shouldn't. Even those tossed in the trash can end up in the ocean, where they are mistaken for food. Instead of balloons, use honeycomb balls to create unique party decor and even "balloon" arches! They have the same round shape and come in all kinds of sizes (and even shapes!), so you can create the exact look you'd like. PLUS, you don't have to worry about them deflating!

Disposable Paper Tablecloth (or Reusable Ones) Instead of Plastic

Aside from the fact that plastic tablecloths look kinda cheap, they are full of creases that you can never get out (and not to sound like a broken record but... awful for the environment). Try switching to paper tablecloths! They come on a roll or in a pack, but they usually have a plastic liner underneath so be sure to get a fully paper one. Or, even better, invest in some inexpensive polyester tablecloths that you can toss in the wash after use. I have a large black one I always use for my food table and it's held up really well- plus no stains! For the easiest party set, skip the tablecloth completely and stick with a simple runner!

I like to keep it light over here, but this was something that was really weighing on me. We're all guilty of choosing convenience over sustainability sometimes but it's important to start making changes that will help the earth, not hurt it. I hope this blog post showed you that being eco-friendly isn't really hard, and can actually be really cute! 

Now, I need some feedback from you. What did you think of this post? What types of items would you like alternatives for? Let me know in the comments below!

Printable Ice Cream Party

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! In case you’ve missed my adventures, I’ve been seriously craving ice cream while being pregnant in the summer. It’s such a tasty and refreshing treat! So, when Tiffany Wong Party reached out about a collaboration with her new product line, I knew what I was going for- ice cream!! This product line is perfect, since you can buy the full set in a party pack or buy each item individually to suit your needs. You also have the ability to mix and match! 

*This post contains affiliate links

Once you purchase your party printables, they’ll come to you via a zip file for immediate download. Then, all you need is a printer, scissors, and cardstock to get started! (I use this printer and I love it. It does an amazing job of printing color and black/white, as well as copying photos! Also you can print wirelessly, which is perfect for us! We keep the printer on the second floor, and I’m usually on the couch on the first floor or working in the attic, so it’s easy to press print, then grab the papers later.) I also recommend a  paper cutter and a paper punch just to make your life easier. You can cut all these items out in no time!

Now let’s talk about the files. Some files come ready to use (like the cupcake toppers) and some require a bit of DIY work (like the banner). Then, you have the customizable ones like the tent labels. All I had to do was open the file, download the suggested font (written on the left hand corner) and add my own text. It was SO easy! Press print and bam, you’re on your way. Then, just cut everything out according to the instructions and your party is ready to go! 

These cupcake liners are perfect for adding a themed element to your cupcakes! I purchased store bought cupcakes (my #1 party hack!) and removed the summer-themed toppers they came with. Tiffany created these adorable cupcake toppers in 1.5 inch circles. All you need is a paper punch and you’ll cut these bad boys out in no time! I actually messed up because I thought I had a 1.5” punch and didn’t (whoops!) so you can use a scissor as well. But, the lines won’t be as crisp and clean so I highly recommend getting a paper punch. Then, just hot glue the circle onto a toothpick and you’re ready to go!

I always prefer paper straws over plastic ones, so I used these gold striped, coral striped, and aqua blue polka dot ones. To dress them up a bit, I added those same cupcake toppers and glued them onto the straws! It’s an easy (and free!) way to incorporate the theme. Some people hate paper straws but they’re biodegradable, unlike plastic straws. They’re also way prettier!

For my backdrop, I used paper fans and tissue paper fans in all sizes. I added my YAY ice cream banner on top. Tiffany offers her banner with so many sayings, so it’s great for any occasion! For my party, I was just happy to get ice cream so I picked a simple YAY!

I felt like a fancy restaurant using these napkin wraps! They’re so easy to use- just print, cut, wrap around your napkin, and add a little bit of hot glue. Easy peasy! I also used 2 of these taped together to dress up my cups. For those, I used a small piece of tape, but you could glue the ends together too. 

Tiffany also offers full pages of her patterns, so I used those to create a border for my letterboard sign and to create a colorful surface for my items. You could also print out a page and use them at each seat as placemats! 

These tent labels are great for marking which flavor is which, labeling what’s dairy free/nut free, or marking each person’s seat at the table. I went a little crazy marking everything down to the napkins, but the labels were so cute that I couldn’t resist!

PS- one of my favorite elements that I added was this faux 2-scoop ice cream cone! It's a sundae dish I've had for years, along with 2 mini honeycomb balls, attached by a toothpick.

Overall I found that Tiffany’s items were so cute and easy to use. I’ve never purchased a pre-printed set of party supplies before and I gotta say it was really easy to keep the whole party cohesive and within budget! Head over to the Tiffany Wong Party website to check out all the designs and plan your next party today! 

*This Party was done in collaboration with Tiffany Wong Creative. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Hey Girl: Ryan Gosling Gender Reveal

This just in: we are having a GIRL!!!! Holy poop you guys, I am seriously shocked. I was CONVINCED we were having a boy, but I also knew I was going to be wrong. I told John many times "I think it's a boy, but I also think they're gonna tell me it's a girl and I'm gonna be wrong." But I was so sure baby was a boy I made them double check. Hah! Nope... she's a girl! Hilarious, because I’ve had two dreams about the baby’s gender and both times it was a girl. And both times I asked the person who told me in the dream “are you sure?!” I really thought the baby was a boy! 

Now, let's talk about this quirky gender reveal! My friend at work was on vacation and wanted a fun "gender reveal" after my appointment so I searched for "girl" on my memes keyboard (my favorite add-on, by the way!) and Ryan Gosling came up. So, I thought that was pretty funny and I sent it to her. She loved it, so when it came to telling everyone at work, I made these delicious cookies (in pink, of course!), and added a picture of Ryan Gosling next to them. And that my friends is where I got this genius idea for a party!

This theme is absolutely perfect for a gender reveal where at least one person knows what the gender is (especially the mom) but I also think it would make a FANTASTIC baby shower theme!! At that point everyone knows the gender anyway, so it wouldn't ruin the element of surprise. It's definitely never been done before, so your friends won't be bored of the same old, same old!

*Note: This post contains affiliate links

Free Printables!

I created some unique printables for this party (inspired by these awesome invites!) that you can easily download and print to decorate, invite people, etc. The best part is that they're totally FREE! Not many things you can say are free these days, but this would actually be a super affordable baby shower. To get the free printables, just fill out the form below!

The Party Setup

Let's talk about this super easy setup! I gathered up alllll the pink items I had around my house to make this an affordable party. I used some leftover plates from New Year's Eve, as well as some super cheap frames I had on hand. These were from Walmart but you could honestly use any frames from around your house to save money, or buy super cheap ones and give them out as favors. I know I have Ryan Gosling's photo up in my office now! I mean, he's wearing a suit so it's super inspirational for success, right?

I bought a pack of white card stock and used it for all the printables. I made the small circles 1" and the large ones 2" so you can use paper punches to quickly and easily cut these out! I have this and this paper punch and they worked perfectly. Then, I used a paper cutter to cut out the invites and other straight-edge things so they were nice and neat. Although it may seem like a silly expense, I've used this paper cutter countless times. I guarantee that if you own it, you'll find tons of uses for it! 

For the place settings, I kept it super duper simple with black and white striped napkins and a printed postcard on top. People can tape this postcard up in their house, take pics with it at the party, or just recycle it afterwards. Easy peasy! To create the cupcake picks, all you need are those paper punches I mentioned above and a toothpick. You can either tape it on, or glue it. You can make it single-sided or double-sided. You can also arrange them in a line with skewer sticks for a cake topper, or add them to drink stirrers or straws like I did. They'd also make great embellishments for a favor box or with a tiny hole punched into them as a gift tag for favor bags!

Part of the fun of the "hey girl" quote is what comes after it. I had a little fun and created a letter board message about my sweet little daughter. Honestly can't even believe I can say that! I'm going to have a daughter. Pardon me while I go wipe away these tears... 

Affordable cupcake stands are super easy too! I had these plastic cupcake stands left over from my ornament making party and I turned them upside down to hold these tiny cupcakes. Btw- these are store-bought cupcakes. I scraped off the frosting and piped on my own tinted store-bought frosting! It took a couple of tries and they clearly aren't perfect, but honestly they did the trick. I just recommend getting some new cupcake liners to go over the old ones, because they do kinda separate off the cupcake for some reason. These mini pink "stands" are actually just paper baking cups that I've had forever and never used. They were too big for these teeny little cupcakes, but they were great as stands!

Now, let's talk about those cookies! The recipe uses cake mix, so they're super soft and fluffy. I made them for work and everyone was raving about how good and different they were. Best of all, they're super cheap and easy to make! I just used store-bought white cake mix and pink food coloring. I piled them up on top of a cake stand that, again, was left over from a blog post!

For another easy decor piece, I used my lightbox sign and added a sonogram of my tiny girl. I know some people find sonograms weird and creepy (um, ok...) but I think that when it's your child it's the most amazing thing. Like... she has the cutest up-turned nose and you can even see her teeny little heart! Pure magic.

To decorate the area above the table, I placed a bunch of paper fans I had laying around. I really thought I had more pink ones than I did, but most of them were a dark hot pink since they were for Halloween and Christmas posts. Had I realized, I probably would have ordered a set of pastel fans to have a nicely mis-matched set!

Either way, I’m so excited to finally know more about this little baby and to buy some baby clothes. Now that I know, I can’t wait to get started on the nursery and some fun DIY projects for baby! Plus endless matching “mommy and me” outfits.

Don't forget to download your printables and create your own Ryan Gosling themed gender reveal or baby shower! It felt very "teenage stalker obsessed with a celebrity" as I was creating the party setup, but it's so much fun. 

So, what do you think about this idea for a gender reveal or baby shower? Now I want to do a whole bunch of amazing, uniquely-themed baby showers. What weird theme would you do? Or is this JUST what you were looking for? Let me know in the comments below!

Cinco de Mama- Mexican Celebration for Mother's Day

Looking for a way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, or celebrate a mom-to-be? Look no further! This Cinco de Mama Party is a Mexican fiesta without the alcohol. It’s all about food, decor, and crafts! As a pregnant woman, being awkwardly excluded from holidays where everyone around you gets drunk is kinda weird. I know Cinco de Mayo may not be a drinking holiday in every country, but in the USA it’s a celebration of Mexican culture, food, and drinks. As a holiday lover, I hate to pass on any opportunity to celebrate. So, I made my own party that celebrates moms-to-be. 

This party can really easily be converted into a birthday party, baby shower, or even a regular ol’ alcoholic party if you wanted to. The choice is yours! 

*This post contains affiliate links

Since I’m a little tight on cash these days (ya know... saving for a baby) I decided to keep it simple by using all supplies I had at home. That’s right- I only bought two things for this blog post! The papel picado banners from Amazon and the serape wooden tray from Michaels. Well, 3 if you count a box of churros that never made it into the setup but I’ll eat those later- don’t you worry! 

I kept the table extra laid-back and skipped a tablecloth. Instead, I put a table runner down, which had a little fringe- so fun! I added papel picado along the edge of the table and as the backdrop, plus added some paper fans I had saved from a Cinco de Mayo party years ago. Hoarding has it’s good points too sometimes! 

For my tableware, I used some gold plastic plates I had left over from Thanksgiving topped with an aqua blue plate. Each place setting was topped with a mini piñata filled with candy plus a bright pink fork and knife. I foresee lots of eating at this party, so each person got 2 napkins, a cute striped one and a fiesta one filled with piñatas, limes, and cacti. 

Speaking of cacti... I put them everywhere! I have some wire cactus plants that I made along with succulents from around my house (fake as well, because I kill everything) and a cute felt cactus.

For decor, I added my fancy new tray from Michaels (half off!), my marquee light, and some colorful candles. I had to grab my painted skull I got in Mexico, and I added some fake flowers left over from my flower gift box  to add a delicate romantic touch to the table. Overall, I’m in LOVE with this setup. 

Now, let’s talk about food. I’d serve this chicken taco recipe for a crowd because it’s so easy to make and so so SO good! I’ve made it for parties and everyone loves it. Then, add some mexican street corn dip on the side. Mexican street corn is my absolute favorite thing and I’m practically drooling just thinking about it right now. Then, add some easy chips and dip, homemade guac, and churros for dessert. For drinks, I recommend your favorite mocktail or some infused water or sparking water for a healthier choice! I went with strawberries and pineapples for my water. Delish!

And there you have it! A simple Mother’s Day/ Cinco de Mayo party for the women you love. What would you serve at your Cinco de Mama party? Let me know in the comments below!