Memorial Day | Design Happens

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Happy Hour Happens: Refreshing Memorial Day Cocktails

by Kayla Kitts May 17, 2013 1 Comment

Memorial Day’s late May date has marked the unofficial start of summer for years. Most schools unlock the doors and release students for the year that Friday before. [FREEDOM!] The weather is finally at a solid seasonal temperature. It’s also an unofficial rule that you must spend the day/weekend outdoors. Rain is not tolerated. No matter how you choose to spend your holiday weekend, unwind with these refreshing summer cocktails that will leave you ready for lazy pool days all season long.

Cantaloupe Tea Daiquiri

Memorial Day Cocktail Recipes at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Numi Emperor’s Pu-erh Tea
1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Blue Vodka
3 ounces frozen cantaloupe, cubed
1 ounce coconut milk
splash of lemon juice
lemon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Steep tea at four times the normal strength for two minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use. Combine and blend ingredients in blender, adding a splash of lemon for each serving. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon wedge.

More Warm-Weather Concoctions

Weekday Crafternoon: Anchor-Stenciled Boat Bag

by Marianne Canada May 14, 2013 1 Comment

I don’t know how the weather has been in your part of the country, but here at HGTV Headquarters we had a long winter and unseasonably cool spring. The chilly temperatures have just made summer more tantalizing, and with Memorial Day only a couple of weeks away, I’m ready to kick off summer and head out on the lake. On my arm? This adorable stenciled boat bag.

Didn’t I say I was excited about freezer paper stencils? Ever since I heard about them on Alison’s blog, I’ve been hooked. They are easy to use and the results are amazingly crisp and professional. Download our free “Boat Bag” and anchor stencils, and you’re all set to make your own nautical-themed tote bag.

How to Stencil a Boat Bag for Memorial Day

Are you gearing up for a fun Memorial Day weekend? Do your plans involve heading out to the pool or lake, or will you stick closer to home? I’m counting down the days until that long weekend…

Missed an episode of Weekday Crafternoon? Catch them all, and more from Marianne, right here.

Daily Delight: DIY Picnic Roll-Up for Memorial Day Weekend

by Farima Alavi May 26, 2012 7 Comments

It’s Memorial Day weekend – a LONG weekend. Somehow that one extra day really makes a difference in everybody’s mood. People are remembering our patriotic heroes, enjoying the weather, spending time with family or maybe just sleeping in (that one is definitely on my To Do list). Whatever you’re doing, I personally think it’s a good weekend for a picnic and a summer craft – so why not combine the two? Waverly fabric has come up with a DIY picnic roll-up that’s easy to make and costs less than $15. The roll-up holds all your utensils and doubles as a placemat so picnicking is carefree: Get the full instructions here.

Waverly Picnic Roll-Up

What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend? Tell us in the comments below.

Happy Memorial Day!

by Kayla Kitts May 30, 2011 3 Comments

Whether Memorial Day, for you, marks a day of remembering our patriotic heroes or it’s a day of escape from the usual Monday grind, the unofficial start of summer is here.

Photos: Country Living; Home & Garden Ideas; Flagpro

And you know what summer means? Time to enjoy outdoor living. Here are four ideas for making the most of it.

From everyone here at Design Happens, have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

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Daily Delight: Perfect Picnic Basket

by Lili Zarghami May 28, 2011 9 Comments

Happy Memorial Day weekend, design lovers! I have the feeling lots of us will be doing some picnicking over the next few days.

williams sonoma picnic basket
What better way to kick off the long weekend than sharing an ideal picnic basket? This classic trunk-style basket from Williams Sonoma comes with everything you need for a well-outfitted meal al fresco, including the blanket. Wine and cheese are my two must-haves for a picnic. What are yours?

Kayla’s Top 5 Picks for Summer Lovin’ of the Design Kind

by Kayla Kitts May 27, 2011 5 Comments

Memorial Day is when all the newspapers and free weekly rags come out with their official guides to summer. Well, cast those aside, and instead follow my guide to a summer bursting with style. Yes, that’s right. These are my top 5 picks for summer lovin’ of the design kind. Don’t let those summer days drift away. (Yes, Grease is my favorite summer movie.) With the long holiday weekend finally here, this is the perfect time to enjoy at least one of these. Tell me more, you say? Of course. Here you go:

1. Plan a Stylish, Fuss-Free Backyard Party

Memorial-Day-Summer-Backyard-Party-HGTV-DesignHappens

With sunshine in sight, I’ll be spending the entire weekend outdoors, and you should, too! Welcome summer weather by gathering friends and family for a backyard party. Fire up the grill and and give these summer-inspired recipes a try.

Click for the Rest of My Summer Picks

Memorial Day: Plant a Patriotic Garden

by Kayla Kitts May 22, 2011 9 Comments

Give your garden a thrilling dose of patriotism this coming Memorial Day weekend by planting flowers that bloom in red, white and blue. (Cue the John Philip Sousa.)

Memorial-Day-Red-White-Blue-Flowers-Gardening-HGTV-DesignHappens Photos: Bloomers Blog; Lowes; Sonja Smith

If you don’t think you’ll have time for planting, grab a hanging basket filled with red, white and blue petunias from your local gardening center. For you more adventurous green-thumb types, here are a few of my favorite flowers to get you started creating your own patriotic combinations.

Memorial-Day-Red-White-Blue-Gardening-Flowers-HGTV-DesignHappens

Potentilla 'Gibson's Scarlet', Clematis, Grape Hyacinth

Patriotic Flower Ideas From HGTV.com:

Red: Potentilla ‘Gibson’s Scarlet’ (or dianthus, geraniums, hydrangeas, zinnias, begonias, mums)
White: Clematis (or geraniums, salvias, mums, snapdragons, daisies, impatiens)
Blue: Grape hyacinth (or morning glory, verbena, blue bells)

Keep your garden gorgeous all summer long with HGTV.com’s expert gardening tips.

Memorial Day: Enjoy an Alfresco Celebration

by Kayla Kitts May 17, 2011 No Comments

Memorial Day is less than two weeks away. This federal holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have lost their lives during military service. It also marks the unofficial start to summer. Many will take advantage of the long weekend to travel to the nearest lake, beach or mountain getaway. For those staying local, it’s all about neighborhood barbecues and outings to newly-opened pools. My favorite way to spend Memorial Day? Grilling out with my friends and family as well as enjoying the traditional sensory pleasures of summer. Fresh cut grass, a smokey grill, the sun hitting my back, running around barefoot, etc.

Memorial Day Picnic Patriotic Decor Photos (clockwise left to right): Fancy House Road; flickr.com/junkgarden; Note Card Cafe; Fancy House Road

In addition to displaying the “Stars and Stripes,” Memorial Day gatherings provide the perfect excuse for red, white and blue decorations. A dessert made with strawberries and blueberries is an easy and healthy way to incorporate a patriotic color scheme.

How do you plan on celebrating Memorial Day this year? Are you hosting a neighborhood cookout? Spending the day at the lake? Any special decor tips? We’d love to hear from you!

Summertime, Let the Parties Begin

by Chelsey Bowen May 25, 2009 2 Comments

Happy Memorial Day! Hope you are out enjoying a beautiful day with friends and family. Since today kicks of the beginning of the summer parties, I want to share a few favorite party ideas I’ve found.