My favorite holiday of the summer, the 4th of July, is just a few days away, which means a fun weekend full of spending time with friends and family and celebrating America’s Independence! And, since the 4th falls on a Monday, I’m also pretty excited about having an extra day off and the 3-day weekend!

Whether you’ll be spending your long weekend at the beach, a pool party, a family barbecue or partying with friends, I’ve got the perfect outfit for you! Show off your patriotic spirit in any of these cute outfits, all of which are less than $20!

The Fourth of July is a holiday deeply rooted in its traditions. You hang out with friends and family (sometimes in costume…), you cook big slabs of meat on the grill, you wash those slabs of meat down with an icy cold (alcoholic) beverage, and you sit on a blanket in the middle of a street to watch pretty bombs explode overhead.

Ooooo!
Ahhhhh!

But no matter how many times you do it, as you walk back to your car – scratching those damn mosquito bites until you bleed- you always find yourself wishing you had prepared for the festivities a little better.

So, this year, CollegeCandy is gonna help you out. We’ve done all the preparing so you don’t have to. Print this sucker out before you go and you will be ready for your 4th of July celebration (and possibly another Y2K situation…what can we say? We like to be prepared).  

Bug Spray: Those bitches won’t have a chance in hell

An extra cushy blanket: Sure, that table cloth is bigger, but is that going to protect your back from the giant rocks that always seem to end up under your back?

A long sleeved shirt: Yes, it is 80 degrees now, but you may want it later. However, if you don’t bring it you could always find a hottie to snuggle up with….

Beverages: Filled with alcohol. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but fireworks are boring. Fireworks with a little booze in your system, however, are totally freaking AWESOME.

Snacks: To keep the annoying nearby children quiet…and because those beverages may make you crave a Lunchables.

A Romantic Partner: I am sure this isn’t as easy as grabbing a bottle of bug spray, but if you have one, bring ‘em along. Fireworks are always better watched while snuggling (and, see above, drinking).

Camera: Obviously, a holiday is a total Kodak moment. But, even more, there are sure to be some fantastic mullets milling around. There always are. Always.

Aspirin: In case you run out of snacks and the damn kids on the next blanket won’t. shut. up.

Condoms: Because fireworks are romantic. And you’ll have to thank that dude keeping you warm somehow.

Alka Seltzer: The 3 hot dogs you scarfed at dinner are bound to make a comeback at some point.

A DD: Drinking and driving is never a good idea.

American Pride Doesn't Have to Look Like This

Fourth of July is here! Commence drinking, hot dogs, drinking, and singing “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” and maybe burning your hand on sparklers (which I don’t care how old I get, they will always be so freakin’ cool).

I’ve already given you recipes for the bbq you’ll be hitting, and now we have one more thing to tackle: the Fourth of July ‘fit.

You need to look somewhat festive (i.e. I don’t suggest your skull tank or vintage “I love Canada” tee) but you don’t want to look like a walking advertisement for the US of A. I’ve got you covered: from red, white and blue festive to festive without being decked in the colors of our homeland, you will look like those American Girls that all those foreign boys (and the Counting Crows) talk about. And you will be ready to pull a Miley and Party in the USA. Woot woot.

Skirt
The skirt in all three colors is adorable (it comes in red, white or blue! Fancy that!), but I’m totally loving the red – it’s so fun for summer! Whichever color you choose, pair with an opposite color tank. I went easy breezy with red and white here, but you could easily swap out the red for a blue tank and it will look even more festive, but still very chic.  Or go for the navy skirt paired with the red tank. Or the white skirt paired with either a red or blue tank. It doesn’t matter – the white sandals go with any of them.

So many options! I love America.

Product Information: Tank – Old Navy, $8 ; Skirt – Urban Outfitters, $58; Sandals – Forever 21, $15.80.

Dress
Could this look be any cuter or easier to throw on? I think not. Plus, it leaves plenty of space for all those hot dogs/Strawberry Shortcake ice cream bars you’ll be throwing down the hatch all night long. I’m a big time fan of you, red white and blue. A Big fan of your work.

Product Information: Dress – Lulus.com, $38; Sandals – Charlotte Russe, $10.

Shorts
This is a way to look festive even if red, white and blue doesn’t go with your skin tone/you don’t love rockin the american flag look. So cute with the Tom’s shoes!

Product Information: Tank – Forever 21, $13.80; Shorts – Delias, $34.50; Shoes – Tom’s, $43.95.

Pants
Ideal for those of us who can’t handle all those mosquitoes after dark, this look can really work for anything: day, night, 4th of July, or any random day of the summer. White boyfriend jeans are just adorable…and comfortable… and summery. Paired with this pretty red whirt (with blue detail) adds a nice feminine twist to the boyish pants. And the wedges are just a great way to get some height while staying completely comfortable.

God bless America.

Product Information: Boyfriend jeans – Gap, $59.99; Top – Lulus.com, $37; Wedges – Forever 21, $21.80.

It’s unfortunate that a glorious holiday that is supposed to be about laying out on the beach, getting burnt, and winning hot dog eating contests has turned into something so ugly and so misunderstood. Sure the Fourth of July is a day to celebrate our independence as well as our American pride, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an excuse to desecrate the colors red, white, and blue in such a horrible fashion.

So in a striking contrast to the phenomenal fireworks display you’re going to see this weekend, we present to you American patriotism gone horribly wrong.

[Click on the photos to see appropriate (and awesome) examples of patriotism.]

I think I finally understand why so many people hate America….

While there are many things about America that are less than lovable – Nascar, the current economy, the fact that Heidi Montag makes millions of dollars – we live in a pretty awesome country. And most of us don’t really appreciate all that we’ve got, like free education, freedom of speech… and Miley Cyrus.

So I thought it was about time for all of us to take a moment to reflect on what we love most about being Americans. Get your American Pride on in the comments below.

Katherine – University of Delaware: I love being an American because you can experience completely different lifesyles without ever leaving the country’s borders. Yet whether you’re from the south, the midwest, or the coasts, you still share a common bond.

Sara C – Fordham: What do I love about being American? Being able to be a woman who can speak her mind if she so desires. Being able to go for a run in a sports bra and compression shorts on a hot summer day. And Ben & Jerry’s. God bless Chunky Monkey.

Kari – Florida State: I love being an American most when I’m milling around a bar at Happy Hour and I can yell “F**K YEA, AMERICA!” Which will spark warm sentiments of agreement from other bar patrons. Not much more American than profanity and self-promotion!

Ricki – University of Michigan: The fact that I can wear whatever I want in the summer.  Can you imagine a country where women can’t wear shorts? 

Cristina – Michigan State: As corny as it sounds, freedom of speech.   The fact that I’m a lady writer who can broadcast my stories and opinions on the internet without fear that I’ll be stoned to death is a pretty sweet deal.

Brithny- Duke: I love how you can tailgate hard and throw beer around while dancing on top of a pickup truck one day, then pull on your best sundress and go to church the next.

Sammie – Fordham: American boys and college sports.  In that order.

Kaitlyn – Middle Tennessee State University: (Via Facebook) I absolutely love the cultural diversity of America. No where else in the world would I have a friend from every country, every ethnicity, every religious affiliation, etc all in one place. LOVE IT!

Alex – Lakehead University: Well, since I’m not American, let’s do Canadian. From a practicality point-of-view, I LOVE the free health care, but for fun, how about the amazing beers and outdoors! I’m happiest with a cold Coors Light in my hand, sitting on the deck of my camp, overlooking Lake Superior.

Lauren – University of Michigan: College football. Soccer might have hotter players, but there is nothing like a football Saturday.

Meg – University of Delaware: I love being American because I can eat what I want: Italian, Chinese, Thai and Mexican all in one week? I love food.

Charlsie – Hollins University: The classic taste of Coca Cola makes me proud to be an American. Nothing is better than opening a can of coke and taking that first sip — especially during the summer.

Carly – Grinnell: Honestly, I think I love the English language most–I know that is such a dorky answer, but I love being able to travel all over the world and knowing that many people will be able to understand me because they speak some English. Of course, that doesn’t diminish the fascination I have with foreign languages, but it is nice to speak such a socially valued language as a mother tongue.

Brittany – University of Saint Thomas: Baseball, Apple Pie, Chevrolet, and the fact Spencer Pratt is considered a real human being.

Christie – NC State: Coming from a military family, I guess I just love this country and the principles it was built on. Cheesy, but I’m a firm believer that the principles this country was built on is worth celebrating and defending. My favorite part of being an American I guess you could say is just that: being an American. God, I’m lame.

The 4th of July is only a week away and the store mannequins have certainly arrived in their starred and striped bikinis to make sure we don’t forget it.

It’s an American holiday that takes barbecues, fireworks, and beach parties to a whole new level and with it coming up fast, it’s time to pledge our allegiance to our diets. These diet shape-ups will have you ready to don your nautical wear from the first notes of the Star-Spangled Banner and beyond.

Smoothie Sailing: If no one has let you in on the secret yet, let me be the first to inform of the word of the day: SMOOTH-IES. Smoothies can be counted as a meal substitute or an afternoon snack and they are absolutely delicious (provided that you put the right stuff in them). These 8-ounce concoctions will leave you feeling fuller longer and they are great for sitting by the pool. Simply add ¾ cup of milk, 1/2 cup of berries, whey powder and peanut butter and sip your way to slim!

Go for the grains: Have you seen the intense high fructose corn syrup commercials on the television? Well this little demon takes up living space in white breads. Switching to whole-grain breads and cereals will give your body the power it needs to fight off flab. And for those who say carbohydrates are not good for you, here is the correction: the right kind (i.e. brown rice, whole wheat bread and pastas) will be your best friends forever if you let them.

Leave the French fries in France this 4th: There is no way around it, anyone looking to majorly shape up their body has got to drop the fried foods. No, you don’t have to make a pact to never touch a burger or fried dough again, but the key is moderation. Stick to grilled chicken, sautéed vegetables, and meals that are not bathed in a tub of oil before they hit your stomach. By slowly erasing these trouble makers from your diet you will find your abs thanking you very sweetly.

Skimmy dipping: Whole milk has long been associated with calcium. And yes, we need our calcium. But why not go for the skim milk? We get the same amount of calcium (even more, actually) without all that fat. At first you might gripe over the taste of skim milk compared to 2% percent but start slow; begin adding skim milk to your lattes or to your cereal in the a.m. and move up from there.

Thank you, Popeye: Alright, with that subtitle you already know what I am about to suggest. But I am about to dish out some diet-saving advice here. We think diets and our minds automatically race to the salad. Hold on two seconds, drop the iceberg lettuce (yea, the cheap lettuce that provides no kind of substantial nutrients), and go for the spinach to make up your salad. The greatest thing about adding this green leafed superstar to your veggies, your stomach won’t be growling at you in .2 seconds. Fills you up and slims you down!

So try out these diet shape-ups in the next few weeks as you are looking for routes to be a firecracker this 4th of July. As any nutrition lover would suggest, all of these diet tips work even better with a solid exercise regimen. Hit up the trails, run on the beach, and make the most of the summer sun. Work out, drink plenty of water and try out some of these tips then prepare to slim down and sizzle in your red, white and blue this year.

Lady Liberty wouldn't be caught dead in a fanny pack

Patriotism is kicking into high gear as our Nation celebrates its big birthday today.  Suddenly, the crowds on the streets look like they got lost on their way to a (slightly chubby) reproduction of an American flag-themed musical.  With fanny packs…lots of fanny packs.

In contrast to the more traditional elements of American style (bedazzled jean jackets, tie dye and reverse fit denim), people are going all out to show their love and support for this great nation. In the form of sequins. But is an American flag parachute jacket really the way to show someone, especially our forefathers, you care?

I don’t know about you, but it’s things like this that make me question my pride in America. I know this is the land of the free, but shouldn’t we be free of fashion like this?

We have a lot of freedom here in the wonderful U.S.A. Freedom that people around the world would die for. Freedom that people around the world do die for. But do we appreciate that freedom? Not as much as we should. In fact, being that we’ve been raised to be independent and fearless females, there are a lot of freedoms we have that we don’t recognize often enough.

Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day and in honor of that, I’m going to enjoy my freedom from my diet and eat 2 hot dogs I asked the ladies of CollegeCandy what freedom they appreciate most in their lives. Me? I love the chance to share my opinions with the world. And to eat ice cream for breakfast now that my parents aren’t watching me.

What about you?

Alex – Lakehead: I enjoy the freedom of doing what I want with my money. No student loans (yet!) is liberating!
Caitlin – University of Alabama: My freedom is being able to drink lots of wine by myself without feeling pathetic

K – GWU: I can’t help but be thankful for having a baller sound system in my car so I have the freedom to mourn Michael Jackson correctly (i.e blasting my MJ playlist 24 sev).

Kayla – California State University, Sacramento: My boyfriend is in the army and I am lucky to have him back home from a long separation. This Fourth of July, I’m celebrating freedom from running to the mailbox everyday in hopes of finding a letter. I’m celebrating freedom from fearing for his safety and comfort. And I’m celebrating freedom from celibacy!

Donnette – Manhattanville College: Freedom of EXPRESSION is the best. I like not being 7 when my mom told me what to wear!! If I want to wear a tutu and polka dot stockings I can.

Thu – USC: Staying out until the wee hours of the morning without having to report to anyone. Ahh, how I’m going to miss that next semester.

Marisa – Wesleyan University: I’m really looking forward to being free in just about every sense when I start college this fall. My independence day is September 1!

Vivian – Rutgers University: Freedom to stop shaving my legs after tights became fashionable again. What? You know you’ve done it too!

Kathryn – University of Wisconsin-Madison: The freedom to not have to write any papers, study for any exams, complete any group projects, or prepare any class presentations. The joys of being a college graduate!

Charlsie – Hollins: Currently, I love the freedom and independence of being abroad for the summer. Nothing is more amazing than being able to see new things, learn about another culture, and find yourself in it all at the end of the day.

Sara C – Fordham: It might sound ironic, but I love having independence from the internet when I’m away from my computer. Unlike what seems to be 99% of the population, I don’t have a Smartphone. I l-o-v-e having freedom from the chains of email and Facebook that have encircled most of my friends 24/7. When I’m offline, I am offline!

Cristina – Michigan State: I’m a big fan of being independent from the parents at school and coming home from a party at 5am if I feel like it with nobody to answer to but myself.  Hellz yea.

Sarabeth – University of Texas: I’m permanently moving away from home this year and I’m free from having to clean up after my parent’s un-house trained dog! Yippie!

Kathryn S.: I broke up with a longtime boyfriend to pursue a career… and had the freedom to land the best job ever!

Dannia – Loyola University, Chicago: Now that I’m 21 I’m free from having to memorize a fake ID that looks absolutely nothing like me.

Carly – Grinnell: I just quit my job to work freelance and I am SOOOOO happy to have the freedom to work whenever and wherever I want!

Lauren – University of Michigan: I should say that I’m so lucky to be able to be and do whatever I want as a woman, but what comes to mind first is the freedom I feel when I fart in a loud bar and no one can hear it.

Liza M – Minnesota: In winter, I love having the freedom to not shave my legs. I’m living in jeans and sweat pants anyway, so who’s gonna know?

Melanie – Northeastern: I love that I have the freedom til 2 pm on the weekends when I’m hungover. Too bad we don’t have the freedom to legally order drinks until age 21…

Ricki – University of Michigan: I love having the freedom to wear whatever crazy outfit I want without my mother telling me that I look ridiculous in strange prints or giant jewelry.

I’ve always tried to be a good American. I’ve lived each and every day by the words of the good book: the Declaration of Independence. It guides the deeds I do, the words I write, the kicks I wear.

But every Fourth of July, I get stuck. I got parties to plan! Barbecues, decorations, fine beers, crap beers, fireworks, big cars, big cars full of beer. So much to think about! What do I do? The Declaration never mentioned how we should celebrate its own damn self.

But this year, things are different. Because this year, I found something really special. That’s right: The Declaration of Independence, Part Two. Read it and weep, beleaguered patriot partiers, and may tiny American flags spring up where your tears touch the soil.

On Food

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that not all barbecue foods are created equal, because some of them are really freaking gross. Like frozen hamburger patties, you know, those little red saucers that look like fossilized poop when you cook them. Don’t you have 20 minutes to make some yourself? Or is it too gross to rub raw hamburger all over your hands? That’s how we beat King George, you know. He was the raw hamburger, and we were not afraid to rub our hands all over him. Be like us. Celebrating America means crushing your enemies into tiny patties and grilling them over hot coals.

On Fireworks

… That they should keep among them Standing Armies of Awesome Fireworks. Especially those ones that go “bang” and then “… wwhhbang!” and then kinda “ffzzhh ffzhzhh zhhht.” Those are great. And they should be big, like, really big, like illegal-in-whichever-state-you-happen-to-live-in big, which is another good reason why states shouldn’t have rights. And when you set them off, they should kill and cook next year’s Thanksgiving turkey.

On Music

We, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these colonies, have a lot of trouble picking some appropriate tunes. Unless somebody happens to write something patriotic on a boat somewhere, oh, say, 38 years from now, maybe just make it something funky. Like, “Brick House,” or something.

On Decor

In every stage of these Celebrations we suggest blue, white and red decorations, because those are the national colors of France, our friend and ally which is primarily responsible for our Independence. Did I say Primarily? I meant “completely.” Seriously, before those dudes showed up, we were a bunch of muddy yokels wearing dead animals for hats. The French basically made America everything it is today, and so we are declaring the Fourth of July to be National French Appreciation Day. Revel appropriately.

Well, there you have it. Straight from the Founders’ mouths. Take heart these wise words, and look for me when the 4th rolls around – I’ll be the one with the ten-gallon beret.

When I’m buying beauty products the first thing I think about is how hot they will make me. Then I consider if they’ll make me break out and, finally, look at the cost.

What I don’t think about is where the product originated from. And, it seems, most of them are imported goods.

With Independence Day approaching and American Pride on the rise, I decided it was time to start buying more home-made goods. I don’t really need a car anytime soon, so I thought my makeup bag would be a good place to start. And what I found were tons of great companies – some you may recognize and some that could really use our support – right here in the U.S.of A.  So in honor of the fourth, stay true to the red white and blue and test out some products made in this land of the free (from imported makeup).

Lady Liberty would be proud.

- Adesign: Professional cosmetic brushes made from the finest materials. And they’re even having a sale! Nothing says “America” like a good sale!

- Amazing Shine: Anything and everything you need for the perfect at-home mani or pedi.

- Bare Escentuals: You know this stuff (who doesn’t), but did you know it’s an American company? Keep buying it and you may singlehandedly (single face-edly?) save the economy!

- Essie: Everyone’s favorite polish is made right here in America. Phew, I didn’t want to have to give up my Wicked. I’ve been using it for years.

- Fruit of the Earth Inc.: If you’re looking to go natural, you don’t have to cross the border. This company makes awesome natural skincare and suncare products.

- ISO: Need a new straightener? Yes, the CHI is quite popular, but that is because people don’t know about ISO. These are professional grade straighteners straight out of the U.S. No need to import.

- Jordana Cosmetics Corp.: High quality makeup at a low price. From California.

- Murad: Skincare and acne solutions.

- ORLY International Inc.: More nail polish! And their neon line is awesome – you can’t get that from China!

- Tweezerman Inc.: The best tweezers ever obviously come from America. It’s amazing that there are still unibrows in this country.

-Burt’s Bees: An all-natural company of balms, creams and salves. It’s some of the best stuff out there, so it should be easy to buy American with this one.