Alas, I didn’t have some killer new idea for a post on July 4th—I’m just grateful to have a day off from work. Since it’s Day 168 of the heat wave in DC (I exaggerate but barely), I’m going to bathe in air-conditioning while watching movies, reading on my iPad, and reveling in the fact that I don’t have to be anywhere at a set time. Freedom from my schedule! I love freedom!

I still wanted to acknowledge America’s birthday at least in a small way on this blog, so I decided to go with images of my favorite things right now that are red, white, and blue:

Wild Cherry Slurpee

I know it’s full of sugar and artificial everything, but it’s perfect after running–or walking around the block.

White Arm Candy (no, it’s not Andrew)

J.Crew stripe crystal stretch bracelet. Epoxy and Czech glass stones, resin, elastic and zinc. Dresses up any outfit, including sweatpants on a plane.

The Strangest, Strongest Blue*

Yves Klein, Éponge (SE180), 1957, resin with pigment on sponge. I saw this sculpture at SFMOMA and could not believe how intense the color was. The photo doesn’t do it justice.

Hope everyone has a blast today!

More July 4th-themed posts from around the blogosphere:

• Flag cakes: Serious Eats and smitten kitchen
• Patriotic design porn (a.k.a. top spots to celebrate the Fourth): Architizer
• Patriotic manicures: Pinterest via Racked
• All-American outfit: J.Crew
• Traditional American flags: Design*Sponge
• Flag iterations: Apartment Therapy

*Note on Dec. 13, 2012:  J.Crew used Yves Klein’s patented “International Klein Blue” as the inspiration for the background color of its Collection photo shoot.