Wearing Red, White, and Blue

What's not to love about the Fourth of July? Great weather, friends and family, picnics, barbecues, a long weekend, and, of course, our country's independence!

But just how much spirit is TOO much spirit? It's always fun to play the part in bold red, white, and blue stars and stripes when you're young, but there are other ways you can look patriotic while celebrating at your holiday barbecue. Whether you’re going for cool and comfortable or fancy fashionista, we've got you covered this Fourth.

Women Planning to spend the Fourth at the lake or by the pool? Flat, white sandals are easy to wear and will go well with practically anything in your closet. Pair a patriotic cover-up with a red-and-white striped bikini, or, if a two-piece doesn’t fly for you, a navy polka-dot one-piece can be a wonderful backup. Don't forget sunglasses and a big, floppy hat for extra sun protection, and be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and water for those warm, sunny days.

Need a more casual, hanging-out-with-friends look? Stick with flirty summer dresses that you can pair with your patriotic bathing suit to show off your spirit. Think “cutest lady at the cookout.” Don't over-accessorize; a great beach tote, flip-flops, and light jewelry are key. A cozy pullover is also a must with this crazy Texas weather, since steamy July days can lead to cooler evenings.

Now, what if you are the type of person who hates dressing in an overtly patriotic fashion? We have options for you, too! Go for a casual outfit that’s a little more toned down, such as a blue skirt or a dress paired with red shoes, and maybe an American flag tank. A colorful statement necklace can really complete the look.

Going somewhere fancy for the Fourth? Pair a white lace dress with a bold, red necklace and lipstick; put on some navy or nude wedges or espadrilles; and you are good to go.

Men Men can also celebrate the Fourth in style, whether on the lake or behind the grill. My personal recommendation is to grab breathable shorts and a t-shirt. Most likely, you will be doing all the cooking, which means lots of heat by the grill, with the bonus of the Texas sun beaming down on you. Seersucker, a lively pair of printed shorts, or fun swim trunks with a corresponding t-shirt will keep you cool while looking the patriotic part. Throw on some leather flip-flops, Sperry's or Havaianas, and you are all set.

Bringing the kids? There are a lot of great options out there for children and infants to display their patriotism—check out Target, J. Crew, Children's Place, and Old Navy to start. Go for some fun seersucker or try pairing denim shorts with a cute red-, white-, and blue-striped shirt for boys. For little girls, consider a navy blue-and-white polka dot or red-and-white striped sundress. They will be the most patriotic kids around.

Cory Morrow 

Cory Morrow, shown here in Austin Fit Magazine with his family, began his musical career as a singer and songwriter with a guitar won in a coin toss.

The Houston native started out leaning toward rock but found his calling in country music while attending Texas Tech University. In 1993, Morrow moved to Austin and was signed by Watermelon Records, which produced his second album, The Man That I Have Been (later reissued as Write On). He built a large following through touring the state and in 2001, he recorded his first live album called Double Exposure. While things were looking good on the recording side, Morrow hit a rough patch in his personal life; it wasn’t until 2005 that he met his wife, settled down, and focused on his spiritual side, which resulted in Vagrants and Kings. In 2010, he recorded Brand New Me and put together another live album at the famed Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth in 2012.

Morrow has sold over 200,000 albums independently; you can find him playing at Gruene Hall and Billy Bob’s as well as in Lubbock, Houston, and El Paso throughout the month of July (to see his tour schedule, listen to music, and watch videos, visit corymorrow.com).

Some Tasty Recipes from the Photo Shoot (and a bit of Barbeque history)

The Texas tradition of barbeque began in the late 1800s during cattle drives out West. Cowboys had to be fed and the boss (or cattle baron) didn't want to feed them the good meat, so other cuts were used to feed the cowhands. The main cut of meat for grub was the brisket, which is often tough and stringy. However, if a brisket is slow cooked over a long period of time (5-7 hours) at approximately 200 degrees and then coated with a tangy, sugary sauce, it morphs into a tender, tasty treat.

Barbeque styles and preferences vary greatly over the United States; even within Texas, there are distinct types with their own unique fans, and more than 100 barbeque competitions are held annually. There are standouts in the barbeque world, and “Stubb” was born Christopher B. Stubblefield in Navasota, Texas, one of nine sons from parents he describes as “real good cooks.” He worked in restaurants and hotels, and served as an Army cook during the Korean War. Stubb eventually opened his own place in Lubbock near the county fairgrounds, where he incorporated music into his eatery, hosting such bluesmen as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Stevie Ray Vaughn as well as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. While the
Lubbock location has since closed, Stubb’s tradition of good music and great food continues here in Austin at 801 Red River.

Stubb’s Spicy Shrimp Kabobs:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 ½ cups pineapple chunks (preferably fresh)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
• ½ cup Stubb’s Pork Marinade (or more if desired)
• 8 wooden or metal skewers

Stubb’s Citrus Chicken:

• 4 chicken breasts
• Stubb’s Chicken Marinade
• 1 orange
• Stubb’s Moppin’ Sauce (optional)
Smoky Stuffed Jalapeños with Bacon:
• 24 fresh jalapenos, halved and seeded
• 16 ounces cream cheese
• ½ pounds uncooked chorizo
• 24 slices of bacon, cut into halves (about 2 lbs.)
• 1 cup Stubb’s Smokey Mesquite Bar-B-Q Sauce

Grilled Trout Fillets:

• ½ cup yellow cornmeal
• 4 teaspoons Stubb’s Bar-B-Q Spice Rub
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 rainbow or steelhead trout, dressed and halved to make 8 fillets
• 2 limes or 1 lemon, halved
• nonstick spray
• lime or lemon wedges (optional)

Now those are some quick and easy recipes that even I can do!
Don't forget the Stubbs Green Chile Marinade! Marinade some shrimp in this for about an hour, skewer, and throw on the grille. Amazing!