Tag: Amazon finds

🇺🇸 Red, White & Snack-tastic: 4th of July Charcuterie Fun 🎇

Move over fireworks — these girls brought the snack spark to our 4th of July celebration this year!

Paige has officially claimed the title of Charcuterie Queen, and Olivia is following close behind. They got to work early, decked out in red, white, and blue (complete with glittery tattoos, festive sunnies, and blue hair streaks!), and created two epic boards — one classic American flag and one candy-covered masterpiece.

📸 Kicking It Off with Blueberries

“Blueberries first. Always blueberries.” – Charcuterie wisdom, according to Paige.

👨‍👧 Charcuterie is a Family Affair

It turned into a full family project — even Uncle Kevin jumped in to help line up rows of cherry tomatoes and yogurt raisins like a pro.

🍓 The Classic 4th of July Spread

This board had everything: tomatoes, dried cranberries, Club crackers, licorice, Swedish fish, strawberries, star-cut cheese, and blueberries — all meticulously placed by my perfectionist 11-year-old.

🍬 Candy Charcuterie Chaos (and We Loved It)

We gave the girls full creative freedom on this one. Licorice bricks, sprinkle cookies, jelly beans, and red/blue gummies all came together in a candy masterpiece that didn’t last long!

💄 Olivia’s Red, White & Bold Look

Temporary tattoos, patriotic beads, glitter, and bold lipstick — Olivia was clearly in her element. She says she’s ready to run her own glam booth next year!

🎆 Want to Recreate the Look?

We rounded up everything we used — from Amazon candy finds to 4th of July accessories and last-minute party-ready pieces — in one easy post:

👉 July 4th Ready in a Day: Treats, Accessories & Kid-Approved Finds

July 4, 2025
🎇 July 4th Ready in a Day: Treats, Accessories & Kid-Approved Finds 🇺🇸
It’s almost the Fourth of July — and if you’re anything like me, you’re in last-minute party prep mode. Between ordering on Amazon, wrangling kids, and planning a few family traditions, I wanted to keep things fun and festive without spending hours DIY’ing everything. So this year, we’re going simple and sweet — starting with candy and accessories that are colorful, kid-approved, and ship fast!

🎆 Red, White & Blue Candy & Treats for the Fourth of July 🇺🇸

Here’s what we grabbed from Amazon — perfect for charcuterie boards, treat bags, party jars, or just keeping the kids hyped for fireworks. All are Prime eligible or fast shipping:
- Swedish Fish Mini – Red, White & Blue
  A chewy classic in patriotic colors. We love using these to fill small bowls or scatter across snack trays!
- Sour Patch Kids – Red, White & Blue
  Sweet, sour, and totally festive. These are perfect to mix into popcorn or as a bold snack board filler.
- Tootsie Roll Midgees – Patriotic Edition
  The red, white, and blue wrappers make these old-school favorites look extra fun in jars or grab bags.
- Ring Pop – Red, White & Blue (32 Count)
  Always a crowd-pleaser for kids — wearable, delicious, and a built-in party favor.
- Blow Pop – Patriotic Bubble Gum Lollipops
  Flavors like cherry and blue razz with red, white, and blue twist-wrappers. Great for treat baskets or parade candy.
- Airheads Xtremes – Bluest Raspberry Strips
  Tart and colorful with red, white, and blue stripes. These are fun to drape, twist, or cut into stars for a themed board.
- Airheads Mini Bars – Patriotic Pack
  Mini versions of cherry, white mystery, and blue raspberry — great size for mixing into snack cups or piling into jars.
- Patriotic Candy Bracelets (12 Count)
  Edible and wearable — kids love these! Great little extra to throw into favor bags or display near the dessert table.
- Patriotic Popping Candy (40 Count)
  Yes, they’re basically Pop Rocks — and yes, they make every kid instantly 50% more excited for fireworks.
- Jelly Belly All American Jelly Beans – Red, White & Blue
  Themed gourmet jelly beans in patriotic colors — perfect for bowls, sprinkle trays, or layering in jars. These add a fun chewy texture and look beautiful mixed in with other candies!
🎉 Fourth of July Party Accessories & Outfit Extras 🇺🇸

Because let’s be honest — the accessories are half the fun! These red, white & blue finds are perfect for kids, moms, or party guests. Plus, most ship fast if you’re short on time:
- Red White & Blue Sunglasses – Star, Heart & Round Set (4-pack)
  Fun, gradient shades that make the best photo props or favors for kids and guests.
- Heart-Shaped USA Flag Glasses
  A bold, cute statement piece — perfect for Instagram-worthy 4th of July outfits.
- USA Flag Leather Teardrop Earrings
  Lightweight and festive with just enough flair to dress up a simple tee or tank.
- Red, White & Blue USA Stretch Bracelets (Set of 5)
  Beaded bracelet stack with fun USA + heart accents — wearable all weekend!
- Fourth of July Headband Party Set (12-pack)
  From fluffy feathers to sparkly stars — these are a guaranteed hit with kids.
- Red, White & Blue LED Glow Stick Bracelets
  Flexible, wearable, and perfect for evening fireworks fun. Bonus: they double as necklaces or halos.
- 136-Piece Patriotic Party Favor Set
  Flags, bracelets, tattoos, glasses, necklaces, and more — great for a party bar or favor bucket.
- USA Themed Beaded Stretch Bracelet Set (12 pcs)
  A glam version of patriotic stacking bracelets with gold accents and mixed shapes — fun for teens or adults!
📦 I’ll be sharing our full red, white & blue snack board soon — complete with all these treats styled together for our family cookout. Stay tuned, or follow me on Instagram for the behind-the-scenes video of the girls helping unpack and prep!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting our family blog!
June 28, 2025
Our Favorite Travel Gear for Families: Tested on a 2-Week European Adventure
After years of domestic trips and Disney runs, we took the leap—an international family adventure through Italy and Greece. With three kids in tow, we needed travel gear that was functional, comfortable, and stylish enough to keep up with our pace. Below are the products that truly earned their keep—and made traveling smoother (and cuter) every step of the way.

👜 Anti-theft Bags We Loved
- Anti-theft Crossbody Bag (mom’s go-to) – Sleek, secure, and fit everything I needed for a day of sightseeing.
- Anti-theft Sling Pack (the girls’ favorite) – Lightweight, cute, and held phones, fans, and snacks with ease.
🌬️ Cooling Must-Haves
- Neck Fans – Hands-free and lifesaving during hot sightseeing days.
- Handheld Fan – Compact and powerful for quick cool-downs.
💧 Hydration on the Go
- Flat Water Bottle – Slim enough to slide into bags without bulk.
👟 Shoes That Actually Worked
- Veja sneakers — walked 20,000 steps in these and still felt great.
✈️ Luggage & Travel Accessories
- Away Bigger Carry-On – Our go-to suitcase for flights: roomy, sleek, and fits overhead bins like a pro.
- Luggage Strap – Great for holding backpacks to suitcases during airport transfers.
🧼 Packing Organization & Laundry
- Compression Packing Cubes – Perfect for fitting outfits by day or type.
- Laundry Detergent Sheets – Easy to pack and use in hotel sinks or machines.
😴 Comfort Items for Flights
- Sleep Mask – Great for overnight flights or napping on trains.
- Neck Pillow – Our youngest swears by hers.
🔒 Security Must-Haves
- TSA Luggage Locks – Essential peace of mind on trains and in hotels.
🎒 Backpacks That Worked
- Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Backpack – Durable, fun colors, great for carry-on or personal item.
- Cotopaxi Allpa 28L (smaller version) – Perfect for shorter trips or tweens carrying their own essentials.
🔌 Tech Accessories
- Clutch Travel Charger – This ultra-slim, magnetic charger is perfect for travel days. It sticks right to the back of your phone and is thin enough to slip in a pocket or bag while still charging.
  - USB-C Version (iPhone 15/16 & Android)
  - Apple Lightning Version (iPhone 14 & earlier)
- TSA-approved, rechargeable, 5000 mAh, and just 3.7 oz—this has become one of our essentials.
- European Plug Adapter – No issues charging anything throughout Italy or Greece.
- 4-in-1 Charging Block – One plug for the whole family’s devices = fewer hotel fights!
- AirFly Pro – Connect your Bluetooth headphones to the airplane seat screen. Total game-changer.
💊 Health & Medications
- Travel Medication Pouch
  My favorite way to organize meds for the whole family. I pre-label each compartment with printed mini stickers (as shown!) and toss it in a soft drawstring pouch. Perfect for ibuprofen, allergy meds, and more.
🚉 Real Life: Gear in Action

This list isn’t sponsored—just real recommendations from a mom who tried all the things to make travel easier. We’ll keep adding favorites as we find them!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products we personally used and loved on our family travels.
June 11, 2025