Styled and Savored #015
Your weekly curated guide to great finds that make your home life easier, fuller, richer, and happier.
With the king of Summer holidays on tap next week, we’ve got a litany of fabulous curated items to make your 4th of July holiday, as well as your entire Summer, simply amazing. Let’s dive into the goodness!
DIY that delivers: 5 Summer projects
Summer and DIY go hand-in-hand, and the DIY Huntress makes the whole process feel far more “fun weekend activity” than “frustrating trip to the hardware store.” In her round-up of five easy summer projects, Sam Raimondi delivers projects that are as stylish as they are approachable. Whether you're an experienced builder or someone who's just figured out what a miter saw does, there's something in this list for you.
© DIY Huntress
The standout is the above rustic mobile grill cart that features a place to keep your grilling tools, hang dish towels, and extra storage below for dishes and other items for food prep. Best of all, though, is the fact that it’s set on casters, making it easy to move where you need it most.
There’s also an instructional video detailing how to build a few fun-for-the-whole-family backyard games like cornhole, ladder golf, and an oversized Connect Four game. The Huntress also shows you how to create a vegetable garden in a single day, install an outdoor shower, and give your deck a complete makeover. That Summer to-do list should keep you plenty busy.
Fortunately, each project is broken down into digestible steps with links to full tutorials, and the materials are easy to find at most big-box stores.
What’s refreshing is how unpretentious it all feels. These aren’t just Instagrammable projects. They’re built for real homes, real tools, and real people who want to make their spaces better without quitting their day jobs. The post is a gentle nudge to pick up that tool you’ve been avoiding and make something great before the summer’s gone.
Front door and front porch glow-up
If you’ve ever stared at your front door and felt uninspired (or slightly judged by your own doormat), Rambling Renovators has a refresh that’s part makeover, part mood booster. This charming post shows how a simple color change and a few choice accessories can make your front entryway feel polished, personal, and downright inviting. It’s proof that first impressions start at home.
The magic begins with a rich, warm paint color for the front door that instantly adds depth and charm. The updated brushed nickel hardware complements the door’s new tone perfectly, and a pair of seasonal planters help frame the space without going overboard. There’s a subtle sophistication in the styling – enough personality to stand out, but still cohesive with the home’s overall exterior.
What’s most helpful is the step-by-step rundown of the process. Included are prep tips like sanding and priming, plus smart reminders about checking the weather before painting (a lesson learned the hard way). The takeaway? You don’t need a major renovation to feel proud of your entryway – just a little vision, a weekend of work, and a front porch that says “welcome” before you even open the door.
Folding the American flag with honor
© Art of Manliness
Click image to see full version of folding instructions.
There’s something quietly profound about folding the American flag, and The Art of Manliness captures that reverence in a how-to that feels both practical and deeply respectful. While the article is, at its core, an instructional guide, it’s delivered with a level of care that elevates the task into something ceremonial. This isn’t just about tucking corners. It’s about honoring tradition, history, and the symbolism behind each fold.
The step-by-step directions are clearly illustrated and easy to follow. You start by folding the flag lengthwise (twice) before beginning the triangular fold that gives the final shape its crisp, iconic look. Each triangle is tucked with purpose, ensuring the stars remain visible, while the red and white stripes are respectfully hidden. It’s a process that’s simple, yet layered with meaning.
What makes the article especially memorable is the context it provides. Folding a flag isn’t just for military funerals or parades. It’s something families can do at home, whether raising a flag for the 4th of July or teaching kids about patriotism. The post encourages us to slow down, do things with intention, and remember the values these symbols represent. It’s not just a tutorial. It’s a moment to pause and reflect.
Hot dogs with star power
Hot dogs might not seem like gourmet territory, but Barbecue Bible makes a compelling case for why they should be. This guide transforms the humble hot dog into a 4th of July headliner, with tips and toppings that’ll have your guests asking where you’re hiding the food truck. It’s about treating hot dogs with the same care and creativity as any other grilled meat, and the results speak for themselves.
© Barbecue Bible
The article covers a range of ways to elevate your hot dogs, starting with simple upgrades – spiral-cutting (aka hedgehogging) for better char, toasting the buns, and wrapping the dogs in bacon for extra flavor and crunch. Then come the toppings – classic combos like chili and cheese are just the beginning. You can also get global by adding kimchi and spicy mayo for a Korean twist, mango salsa for a tropical flair, or crema and cotija for a Mexican-inspired variation.
There’s also a strong case made for sourcing quality franks – beefy, all-natural varieties with real snap – and cooking them with care (grilling or smoking over direct heat is the move). The overall message? Hot dogs deserve our attention. They're fun, versatile, and wildly customizable. This 4th of July, skip the plain ketchup-and-mustard routine and give your hot dogs the star treatment.
Slushy paper plane cocktail
© Smitten Kitchen
Deb Perelman at The Smitten Kitchen blog is the queen of “why didn’t I think of that?” kitchen hacks, and her frozen twist on the paper plane cocktail is summer magic in a blender. The original drink – a punchy, equal-parts mix of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice – gets a warm-weather upgrade by turning it into a boozy slushie. It’s simple, chic, and almost dangerously sippable.
The process is delightfully low-effort: just mix the ingredients, pour them into an ice cube tray, freeze overnight, then blend them into a frothy cocktail. The method doesn’t require any fussy ingredients or cocktail equipment. All you need is a good blender and a desire to beat the heat with something that feels grown-up but playful. The slushy texture mellows out the boldness of the amaro, making this cocktail more approachable for those who typically shy away from bitters.
This recipe encourages creativity like swapping in other varieties of amari, adjusting sweetness to taste, or doubling the batch if friends are involved (because they will be asking for refills). It’s the perfect cocktail for your next backyard hangout or sunset toast, no cocktail shaker required.
Red, white & blue trifle
If summer had a signature dessert, this red, white & blue trifle from Budget Bytes might just be it. The recipe layers cubes of angel food cake, a whipped cream cheese mixture, and vibrant summer berries into a patriotic, no-bake showstopper. It’s as easy as it is eye-catching, and you don’t even have to turn on the oven.
© Budget Byte$
The filling is made with just cream cheese, whipped cream, a bit of sugar and vanilla, making it light, not too sweet, and the perfect contrast to the juicy berries. Strawberries and blueberries do the heavy lifting on the color front, while store-bought angel food cake keeps things quick and no-stress. Layer it all in a glass bowl (or individual cups), and suddenly you’ve got a dessert that looks professionally styled but took less time than a grocery run.
The post also includes budget and prep tips that make it accessible for cooks of all levels. Don’t have time to whip cream? Use store-bought. Want to make it ahead? It holds up beautifully in the fridge. Whether you're hosting a July 4th cookout or just want something light and lovely on a hot day, this trifle is festive, foolproof, and guaranteed to disappear fast.
That’s it for this week. Let us know your thoughts about any or all of the featured posts in this edition of Styled & Savored, and tell us what you’d like to see us cover in future editions as well.
