I've always loved the 4th of July. Whether it's celebrated with the gang and extreme fireworks or just the fam and a late night kayak adventure, the long day has always excited me.

Somehow, my family has always managed to celebrate the day on the water, either on the beach, the bay, or the lake. And there is something about the combination of water, celebration, and summer that calls for a certain playlist, right? Right. So here it is! My festive 4th mix! Enjoy and have an awesome holiday!

 'Merica.

Another epic weekend has come and gone, but this time I am left with terrible PCD (post-concert depression). It's real. Trust me.

Between June 18th and the 21st, I was dancing the days into nights, singing at the top of my pitchy lungs, and (like usual with live music) having the time of my life.  And I can happily say the second time at firefly music festival was just as fun as the first.

The days were long and HOT, the music was perfectly diverse, the performances were rad, and the company was great.  So until next year, here's a quick, short recap on the weekend!

Fave Performances:

• Foster the People - my all-time favorite band and the third time I've seen them! They never disappoint. Never. And hello to Mark Pontius who has somehow managed to become even more attractive. 
• Paul McCartney - just super cool. Unreal to see such a tiny little body rocking on stage that has had such an unparalleled impact on the music industry. 
• Clean Bandit - I was so greatly, and happily surprised. Bravo Bandit, bravo.
• Hozier - holy cow, homeboy has SOUL. A really really enjoyable performance. 
• Matt & Kim - now they know how to party. 
• Cage the Elephant - all I have to say is: Matt Shultz, please marry me. Or at least take me on tour with y'all.

Highlights:

• Matt Shultz. Enough said. 
• Crowd Surfing??? Always a must at a festival.
• Head cutouts. By far their best year yet. 
• Lights and pyrotechnics. 
• Joining 89,999 other people in singing "Na na na's" during Paul's performance of Hey Jude. 

Lowlights:

• Rain (and thus, mud).
• Hygiene (honestly, I don't know if hygiene was even existent over the weekend).
• Water. There was none.  
• The tornado winds and thunderstorms that rolled in and cancelled the rest of Saturday night's shows. 

Last week my family and some friends celebrated my mother's birthday. It was a lovely day filled with her two favorite things: exercise and chocolate. A contradiction? Absolutely. But, with her bod, she really doesn't need to worry about it. 

I decided I would take it upon myself (because I love it) to bake up a storm and feed her chocolate obsession. It was a great success! And super trendy, if I do say so myself.

I served pop-in cookies (because mini is better than regular) and the queen of all chocolate cakes. 

Also, I think Sprinkles for Breakfast may be the death of me. SO cute. SO yummy. Check it out!

Pop-In Cookies
Queen of All Chocolate Cakes