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.
Our favorite murder mystery is returning for another season! Only Murders in the Building, which stars Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez, is Hulu's most-watched original comedy — and season three was the platform's most-streamed original project this year. It looks like Arconiacs really DO want more because we're getting Only Murders in the Building season 4. Here's everything we know about the upcoming installment of the show, and don't forget to read our interview with costumer Dana Covarrubias! After you've rewatched seasons 1-3 (again), check out The Best New TV Shows Coming In 2024for more!
Image via Selena Gomez/Instagram
Yes, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, and Martin Short are all close! While presenting the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Selena Gomez and Martin Short had a moment onstage that totally reminded me of Oliver and Mabel. While making their way to the mic, Selena had to jog to keep up with Martin and Steve (she was wearing a stunning Ralph Lauren dress, after all). And when she expresses some nerves about tripping, Martin grabs her arm and says, "I got you baby." The sweetest!!
And Selena shows just as much love to her iconic costars. "I want to thank @stevemartinreally and Marty (who hates social media) for truly being the most kind, gentle, warm and powerful influences in my life," Selena Gomez says on Instagram. "You have shown me a level of class, intellect and humor that doesn’t seem to be easy to find anymore. You guys are truly best friends to me forever." I love this trio so much!
Image via Selena Gomez/Instagram
Only Murders in the Building season 4 is coming to Hulu Tuesday August 27, 2024. That means we're getting the Olympics, Bridgerton, The Bear, Emily in Paris, and House of the Dragon all in one summer. WOW.
Selena Gomez posted a screenshot on March 1 announcing that filming had begun! In honor of Day 1, Martin Short and Steve Martin sent her a bouquet of flowers with a note that reads, "We're so happy to be back with you, love, Steve and Marty." Okay cute!!
Image via Only Murders/Instagram
The official Only Murders in the Building Instagram account shared the first shot from set, and we couldn't be happier to see our favorite trio! "The besties are back," the post reads. "Season 4 🎥." And it looks like the costume color palette is still shades of green, blue, and red like in previous seasons, with Steve Martin's Charles wearing blue slacks and green shoes, and Martin Short's Oliver wearing rust-colored pants. Selena Gomez' Mabel is sticking to neutrals for now, but I'm sure we'll see plenty of color in her wardrobe in the weeks to come!
Selena Gomez also revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that shooting season 4 was a blast. "This is our most exciting season yet. That’s what I would definitely say with confidence, because it was far too fun," she says. "It’s going to be, to date, probably my favorite season."
But Only Murders in the Building season 4 also came with its own challenges. "We used to shoot everything in order, and that would help me a lot," she continues, "but because we had so many different things that were happening, and we wanted to make sure everybody was comfortable and we could adjust to people’s schedules, it jumped all over the place [this season]."
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
Unfortunately, Mabel and Tobert won't reunite for Only Murders season 4 because actor Jesse Williams just confirmed with People he's not returning for the series with a very straightforward, "I'm not on that show anymore."
Selena Gomez, Martin Short, and Steve Martin will return to lead Only Murders in the Building season 4. We'll also see Meryl Streep return alongside newcomers Eugene Levy, Eva Longoria, Kumail Nanjiani, Desmin Borges, Siena Werber, Lilian Rebelo, and White Lotus star Molly Shannon. While we don't have any info on Eugene and Eva's role, we'll see Molly as a "high-powered Los Angeles business woman who finds herself drawn into the world of the investigation in New York,” via Variety.
As someone who was head over heels obsessed with Cheaper By The Dozen 2 as a kid, I can't wait to see Eugene Levy and Steve Martin onscreen again!
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
"I think the idea of what you create is a thing you put out to the world, and sometimes you can’t be prepared for the repercussions of what potentially the world does with your thing," showrunner John Hoffman tells The Hollywood Reporter. "So, the podcast and everything else that’s happened, and what it all means, and what it could have been meaning all along."
We've seen the way Mabel, Oliver, and Charles' podcast has catapulted them into danger and adventure in the last three seasons, and it sounds like Only Murders in the Building season 4 will focus even more on the repercussions of their podcast — and it's going to happen in Los Angeles.
"Well, I’m very excited to see Steve, Martin and Selena take a little break from the apartment building and come to Los Angeles," ABC boss Craig Erwich tells Deadline. "So in the same way that John Hoffman used the canvas of Broadway to tell [Only Murders season 3], the same unique Only Murders take will be applied to Los Angeles, which I’m really excited about."
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
All three seasons of Only Murders in the Building have 10 episodes each. We're definitely going to binge watch all 30 multiple times before season 4 comes out!
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
At the very end of Only Murders season 3, we see Sazz (played by Jane Lynch) get shot while walking around Charles' apartment — and then try to write him a message with her own blood. Crazy! But even crazier is the fact she was dressed up like him, meaning the murderer was actually after Charles. But the great thing about Only Murders in the Building is that the victim becomes an even larger part of the story than they were before.
"The more personal you can make the victim to one of our trio, or the murderer to one of our trio, the better," showrunner John Hoffman tells THR. "It felt like a perfect opportunity to let Charles have this connection and explore more of that connection. It’s one of the great characters. We’ve loved writing Sazz so much, and that’s the beauty of the show is, you get a lot more time with the victims. They’re not gone when some ill fate happens to them."
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
In real life, the Arconia is the The Belnord Apartments. The building takes up an entire city block, and the Italian Renaissance Revival style it was made in is absolutely beautiful. You can see the outside of the building in New York City's west 86th street, but since it's a real apartment building, you won't be able to go inside!
Image via Craig Blakenhorn/Hulu
Sting was a guest star in the first season of Only Murders in the Building thanks to his friendship with Steve Martin and casting director Bernard Telsey! That's also how Meryl Streep (who's also friends with Steve Martin and Martin Short) got to be a part of season 3.
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
You can watch the Emmy-nominatedOnly Murders in the Building on Hulu now!
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
In our interview with costume designer Dana Covarrubias, she mentioned how much her and Selena Gomez' Mexican heritage influenced her outfits in season one, while the aesthetics of The Hardy Boys and Alfred Hitchcock's films influenced her looks in season two.
"I was trying to figure out something within that [murder mystery] world again, but our whole season is about Broadway and about theatre, and I think that just trumped everything else," she says. "It was very exciting to re-explore some of my favorite musicals...Almost all of Mabel's costumes this season are directly inspired by one or two musicals."
We're talking Guys and Dolls, Chicago, and Little Shop of Horrors. Check back here for the season four costume inspo!
Image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
Yes, Only Murders in the Building season 4 is confirmed! The official Instagram announcement post features our favorite trio against a vivid green backdrop. Selena Gomez stuns in a bright red sweater dress with a cold shoulder silhouette, while Martin Short wears a blue suit and Steve Martin wears purple. This definitely feels like a nod to the Only Murders in the Building costumes — Selena's Mabel wears a lot of marigold and red, while Steve's Charles started off the show in blue and Martin's Oliver chose shades of purple.
Are you excited for Only Murders In The Building Season 4? Check out our email newsletter for more pop culture news!
Lead image via Patrick Harbron/Hulu
This post has been updated.
Whether you’re planning to dye a few Easter eggs, create a basket full of goodies, or cook a mean Easter dinner, this cool-kid approved holiday requires a lot of prep work and leg work from the adults. Between buying candy, dye for the eggs, and ingredients for your egg and bacon carbonara (*prayer hands emoji*), it’s safe to say us adults deserve a little treat that is egg-tastic (and 21 and up!). This Cadbury cocktail is the perfect way to end the day (you know, when the kids are asleep). Made with sweetened condensed milk, vanilla vodka, cream de cacao, and Cadbury goodness, this sweet treat will seriously make your insides melt. Trust. Us.
Ingredients:
Makes one drink
Instructions:
1. Pour the dark chocolate chips and a small amount of milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for about 10-15 seconds or until you start to see the chocolate melting. Stir completely until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2. Pour the chocolate on top of a level plate and carefully rim the martini. Let gravity do its thing by letting the chocolate drip on the edges of the glass. Place the glasses to the side.
3. For the cocktail, unwrap the Cadbury egg, cut it down the middle, and carefully scoop out the cream. Shake the cream into the shaker.
4. Next, measure 1 1/2 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 ounce of cream de cocoa, 1 ounce vanilla vodka, and 1/4 cup of milk, and place all the ingredients into the shaker. Just double these measurements if you want to create a drink for a friend. (Duh, of course you do.)
5. Add a handful of ice, and carefully shake for about 10 seconds or until the Cadbury cream has broken apart and melted.
6. Pour the liquid into the martini glass and shave the rest of your dark chocolate over the cocktail. Serve immediately.
Pour the dark chocolate chips and a small amount of milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for about 10-15 seconds or until you start to see the chocolate melting. Stir completely until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour the chocolate on top of a level plate and carefully rim the martini. Have gravity do its thing by letting the chocolate drip on the edges of the glass. Place the glasses to the side.
For the cocktail, unwrap the Cadbury egg, cut it down the middle, and carefully scoop out the cream. Shake the cream into the shaker.
Next, measure 1 1/2 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 ounce of cream de cocoa, one ounce vanilla vodka, and 1/4 cup of milk, and place all the ingredients into the shaker. Just double these measurements if you want to create a drink for a friend. (Duh, of course you do.) Add a handful of ice, and carefully shake for about 10 seconds or until the Cadbury cream has broken apart and melted.
Pour the liquid into the martini glass and shave the rest of your dark chocolate over the cocktail. Serve immediately.
Who needs an Easter basket when this cocktail will do just fine.
Whats your favorite Easter recipe? Tweet us @BritandCo, and follow us on Pinterest for more delicious cocktail recipes!
If you're on pins and needles for all things Big Little Liesseason 3, don't worry! Author Liane Moriarty has plenty of other books —including a brand new release! — you can read while you wait for the highly-anticipated season. She's sold over 20 million copies of her books worldwide, and it honestly doesn't seem like she's in the market to slow down anytime soon. With the release of her new novel, Moriarty's continuing to show readers why she's earned the title of best-selling author with more than one beloved TV-adaptation.
From her other book-to-screen stories to other exciting works full of twists and turns, here's a total breakdown of every adult novel she's written!
Liane Moriarty, über photography
Liane Moriarty is an Australian-born and New York Times Best-Selling author who's written 10 adult novels and three children's books that are a part of the Nicola Berry series. Prior to this, Liane was a successful freelance advertising copywriter.
Vince Valitutti/Hulu
Nicole Kidman as Masha Dmitrichenko in Nine Perfect Strangers
Aside from Big Little Lies, two more of Liane Moriarty's books have been adapted into limited series. Starring Nicole Kidman, Nine Perfect Strangers captivated audiences so much that a second season will be premiering on Hulu. Though there were a few noticeable differences between the book and the TV show, it put the book back on the radar for new readers to discover!
Her most recent adaptation is the limited series was Apples Never Fall. It premiered on Peacock on March 14 and starred Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Alison Brie, and Jack Lacy as a family who has to contend with the wild disappearance of their matriarch.
Amazon
The thrilling author's latest novel, Here One Moment, just hit bookshelves and already has a 4.3 rating on Amazon! It's an intriguing novel that answers the big "What if" question about fate.
For the passengers on a particularly harmless flight, they have no idea how extraordinary it'll turn out to be. Among faces like a muscular guy and a nervous flight attendant is someone who holds everyone lives in the palm of her hands.
For some reason, she's able to predict the passengers' deaths — which isn't unsettling until six of them realize their lives will end sooner than they'd like. One by one, their deaths begin occurring as predicted and it begins to make the remaining passengers question if they'd rather meet their fate or find ways to change it if they can.
Amazon
Triplets Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle have the uncanny ability to have all eyes on them no matter where they go. They're the kind of sisters you'd love to know more about even if you can tell their lives are filled with as much drama as fun-filled moments.
Despite their resemblance to each other, the sisters each have their own hectic lives to deal with. One can't live life without checking off a series of lists while the other two are dealing with weird relationship woes. Somehow, their rivalry with each other only stokes their drama even more.
But, that's what happens when you and your sisters are still learning how to navigate life as separate entities outside the womb.
Amazon
Sophie Honeywell can't get her mind off Thomas Gordon and regrets the day she caused him deep pain. Instead of remaining at a standstill, Thomas got married while Sophie's love life halted.
A family secret explodes. A first kiss betrays. A mystery is solved. A marriage is tested. It all happens on one extraordinary night — the Last Anniversary!
Sophie Honeywell always wondered if Thomas Gordon was the one who got away. He was the perfect boyfriend, but on the day he was going to propose, she broke his heart. A year later he married his travel agent, while Sophie has been mortifyingly single ever since. Now Thomas is back in her life because Sophie has unexpectedly inherited his aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island — home of the famously unsolved Munro Baby mystery.
Sophie moves onto the island and begins a new life as part of an unconventional family, where it seems everyone has a secret. Grace, a beautiful young mother, is feverishly planning a shocking escape from her perfect life. Margie, a frumpy housewife, has made a pact with a stranger, while dreamy Aunt Rose wonders if maybe it's about time she started making her own decisions.
As Sophie's life becomes increasingly complicated, she discovers that sometimes you have to stop waiting around—and come up with your own fairy-tale ending.
Amazon
Hynotherapist Ellen O'Farrell has a decent business and living situation because of a nice inheritance from her grandparents, but that's where her luck seems to run out. Though she's not desperate to fall in love, she wonders what it would be like to be in a relationship that lasts.
She's surprised when she meets the sexy and charming Patrick. He's everything she's been hoping for, and he feels the same way about her. His only problem? His ex won't stop stalking him.
It doesn't rub Ellen the wrong way until she finds out who Patrick's ex is...
Amazon
Alice Love is confused about what happened to the last 10 years of her life when she wakes up on a gym floor after passing out. Somehow she's gone from being completely in love with her husband and expecting their first child to being close to divorcing her husband with three children in tow. She's even confused about what happened to her relationship with her sister and who she's become since she's somehow forgot things.
The more she puts together pieces of the puzzle, Alice begins asking herself if it's worth remembering what happened or if she's better off constructing a new story for herself.
Amazon
Cecilia Fitzpatrick may be successful career-wise, but one letter from her husband brings her world crashing down. It's always unsettling when you discover you don't know someone the way you thought you did, but it's even worse when Cecilia meets other women who knew her husband...and his secrets.
Amazon
Big Little Lies revolves around a community of women whose lives become intertwined bit by bit. There's the sharp-witted Madeline who rules as the 'queen bee,' the beautiful Celeste whose glass walls are about to shatter at any moment, and newcomer Jane whose past is shrouded in mystery.
They're connected when a death is discovered and the mystery of what happened beings to be investigated.
Amazon
Sam and Clementine's relationship has always been steady, but things change when they're introduced to Tiffany and Vid. Neighbors of Clementine's friend Erika, their backyard barbecue seems like it'll be a good place to be. However, something happens that makes things rocky and it begins challenging a seemingly strong relationship.
Amazon
Tranquilium House is supposed to be a peaceful health resort that welcomes various guests for 10 days. Each of them have their own reason for being there, but they'll spend more time together than they thought.
Though she knows she shouldn't question their reasoning, former best-selling author Frances Welty can't understand why some of the guests are there. She thinks she's the only person who physically looks like they're in need of a change, but she'll quickly realize that some things aren't surface-level.
Amazon
As much as The Delaneys love each other, they can fight like cats and dogs at times. Nothing bands siblings Amy, Logan, Try, and Brook — together more than when their mother mysteriously disappears and it looks like their father is responsible for what happened to her.
It's odd because it seems like Stan and Joy Delaney are the pillar of perfection with their intense chemistry and successful tennis academy. But time reveals how unhappy they've become over the years and it's hard to ignore. Plus, the arrival of the unknown Savannah seems to coincide with Joy's disappearance.
As the siblings team up in pairs to either prove their father's innocence or condemn him for all of his secrets, they'll encounter a shock that makes them look at their family differently.
Check out our Amazon storefront for reading inspo for your TBR pile!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header images via Amazon
The world could use more kindness than we've seen lately because it feels like there's a lot of Mean Girls energy circulating online and in real life — and I don't mean by way of hilarious Tina Fey-written jokes. It's become cool to be disregard everyone else's feelings, but we can hear the cries for kindness behind each snarky attitude we encounter.
Realistically, there's no way we can combat the lack of kindness in the world with quotes, but we're sure these 16 reminders can help us remember to show grace to ourselves and others.
Brit + Co
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about." —Wendy Mass
Brit + Co
"Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty." —Anne Herbert
Brit + Co
"You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!" —Anne Frank
Brit + Co
"Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience." —Evelyn Underhill
Brit + Co
"The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members, a heart of grace and a soul generated by love." —Coretta Scott King
Brit + Co
"Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary." —J.M. Barrie
Brit + Co
"The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey." —Sarah Fielding
Brit + Co
"Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud." —Maya Angelou
Brit + Co
"We are all neighbors. Be kind. Be gentle." — Clemantine Wamaryia
Brit + Co
"You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens." —Louise L. Hay
Brit + Co
"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference." —Barbara De Angelis
Brit + Co
"Kindness is always in stock." —Katy Perry
Brit + Co
"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference." —Amelia Earhart
Brit + Co
"Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you." —Princess Diana
Brit + Co
"Be kind to yourself so that you can be happy enough to be kind to the world." —Misha Collins
If you need help being kinder to yourself, we have 45 self love quotes that'll steer you in the right direction.
Header image via Sophie Mijnlieff
