Will someone be sure to dial up Mother Nature to let her know I am requesting perfectly clear skies in Massachusetts for the evening of the 4th? That would be great, thanks. Fireworks are one of my all-time favorite things; I make no secret for my love of colorful explosions in the sky. In order to celebrate the 4th of July and the accompanying fireworks, I go all out, wearing red white and blue,  incorporating as many festive accents as I can.  I'm headed to Cape Cod, where I expect to have my fair share of lobster,  spend some time in the sand, and get out on the water. Here are some red, white and blue pieces to take you into summer  that you are sure to enjoy well past the 4th of July. 

This American Flag Picnic Blanket from Pottery Barn is great to have around for outdoor concerts at the town Band Stand and picnics in the park. 

I can always count of Pottery Barn for great lanterns each summer. With start cut-outs and rope handles, these ceramic cuties will be used all season long.

Buy two sets of Horchow's great looking cotton napkins and mats to mix and match red white and blue on the table. Available in sets of four, wide color-bordered mats have a crisp nautical edge while polk dot napkins play well, providing a graphic punch. 

Mario Luca Giusti makes stylish acrylic pieces that cannot be believed. The elegant designs, rendered in thick acrylic, like the Federica Pitcher shown above, resembles glass in every possible way, making it the next best thing for dining out-of-doors. Gracious Style carries the entire brightly colored range, from tumblers to carafes.

Summer entertaining usually means making meals large groups of people. In the interest of being prepared for whatever might come your way, stock up on serving pieces that can go the distance, like these Enamel Servers from West Elm. They also come in a crisp white, so getting a few sets might be a good idea, and they are on sale. Score.

If you are beach-bound for your vacation, be sure to pack some stylish towels like this Nantucket-appropriate Nautical Knot Beach Towel by Land's End. If you have kids then chances are you know the wonders of Land's End. If you don't then check out their classic basics, where things like beach towels and totes are always durable and well-designed. 

I'm pretty sure there's no such thing as owning too many totes. As if you needed a reason to buy another, J. Crew's Rail and Wharf 12- Hour Tote understands your on-the-go lifestyle.

Tie one on! A tassel, that is. New York-based handbag brand MZ Wallace does leather tassels from time to time-- I love this blue and red version which can hang from a handbag or door knob.

Question: if I had this striped Mark and Graham weekend bag for summer getaways, would I pack lighter? Or, would it become more of a run-around-town bag? I'm guessing the latter of the two. The Audrey Striped Weekender could definitely handle either task. 

Looking for that perfect long sleeve T? Chance, started by Julia Leach, one of Kate Spade's original team, has been the go-to for those in the know.  

If you are going from beach to bar, then pack these blue scalloped beauties from Club Monaco in your tote for a quick change.