Get Your 4th of July Party On: Shopping Tips From a Pro

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Photo: Courtesy of Marina Birch

Planning a last-minute bash for the holiday weekend? We asked planner extraordinaire Marina Birch (you may remember her from Weddings Week) which spots and sites to hit up for recipes, picnic-ready plates, and breezy dresses perfect for the July weather. Take a peek at her Independence Day picks, below, and—if you like a little boom with your bash—scout out fireworks times here.

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• "Keep the casual feel and the childhood nostalgia of paper plates while avoiding flyaway suppers and waste with these super cute melamine 'paper plates' from Susan Fredman at Home." [Photo: via Susan Fredman
• "Add a delicious and way more nutritious option to your 4 th of July burger repertoire with this tasty sweet potato and roasted poblano burger recipe from designer and plant-vangelist Jessica Murnane of One Part Pl
• "Ditch the sparklers and be the sparkle. 4th of July doesn't have to translate into shorts and a t-shirt. Why not kick it up a notch and shine in a chic number from local designer Azeeza Khan." [Photo: via Azeeza]
• "Like looking fancy, but prefer faux? This acrylic glassware from Mario Luca Giusti, found at Susan Fredman, are the perfect way to dress up your 4th of July and not worry about broken glass around bare feet." [
• "If you aren't the dress-up type at all, then revel in all things kitsch and casual. Perfect for a pool party or chilling in a city condo, these hilarious ice-cream-sandwich floats from Judy Maxwell Home scream s

· Inspiration Alert: Peek Inside Marina Birch's Most Lavish Bashes [Racked Chicago]