A Patriotic Poolside Picnic (With a Side of Disney)

Sometimes, even in the midst of a "major" holiday, you just want something easy and casual for your meals.  Poolside picnics sound perfect to me this year, complete with an easy and casual table.  And you know me- I love Disney. When I ran across some super cute Mickey and Minnie patriotic paper plates, I knew they would be perfect for our poolside holiday weekend meals.  And you also know that I have to make a cute simple little table scape to go along with it. 

I found the plates at Walmart and was inspired to walk back to the fabric department to see if they had anything which would work for a tablecloth.  The polka dots were perfect!  I bought a yard and a half for a small patio table. 

These  “chargers” are plastic plates that I found at the dollar store.  I like to use them to support paper plates and add an extra layer of color to the table.  

I found the napkins at the dollar store (blue) and Target (stars).  I have used this little double napkin pocket fold a many times (see example here) and found the tutorial here.  The fold is typically for a cocktail napkin paired with a dinner napkin, but I just went with two dinner sized this time.  You can never have too many napkins during summer picnic and cookout season! The utensils are also from Walmart and I could not resist the glitter sparkle (obviously!), but in hindsight, I think a solid red white and blue would have looked better. 

I used red plastic cups from my stash. I would have liked to have used some glasses with stars on them, but they are glass and I do not use breakables in the pool area. I thought seriously about buying some, but I am really trying to use what I have as much as possible these days and these cups fit the bill.  I picked up the straws somewhere in my shopping ventures and they are perfect for the red, white and blue theme. 

The flowers are from the grocery store- the result of a quick shopping trip. Grocery stores can be great places to get flowers for everyday use.  Other stores in my town have fancier choices, but I think the patriotic theme was cute and I was in a hurry.  I added the flag. 

I do love the mum!.  It reminds me of a fire cracker. I am sure it did not grow that way but it adds a touch of whimsy!

The hydrangeas are from my own yard.  We have had an amazing hydrangea season this year.  It has been so cool and wet and the flowers have loved it! 

Look how beautiful! 

And of course, we had to have some Mickey Snacks!  Red, white and blue M&Ms, and Mickey Goldfish crackers start off this version of a simple but fun snack mix that I have made several times before (see here and here for examples).  This one was simple, I added chocolate chips, peanuts and marshmallows.  I would have liked to have added dried cranberries as well, but someone else found them in the pantry before I put them in the mix! 

This quick, easy, inexpensive table scape was all I needed for the long holiday weekend!  

I hope that you have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July!  

~Thanks for stopping by today! 

Cynthia