INDEPENDENCE PLAY
I don’t believe in buying decorations
for parties. Usually if people look
hard enough, they’ll find a way to
use pieces they already own in an
unexpected way.
REGINA CHARBONEAU
PASS TH E CHIPS
Square galvanized
buckets lined with
waxed paper,
above left,
make handy containers
for store-bought red,
white, and blue potato
chips. Regina labels
each bucket to indicate
the flavor of chips
and gives guests small
glassine bags to fill
with the salty treats.
DARLING DESSERT
Regina’s daughter
Catherine,
left,
serves
up fresh butter cake
with lavender whipped
cream to eager guests.
“People always stress
about desserts, but
one you can make a
day ahead is perfect,”
says Regina, who also
serves fresh berries in
snow cone cups.
JO Y O F JU LEPS
Regina’s easy mint
juleps,
above,
are a bit
more casual than
traditional ones. Served
in glass tumblers rather
than silver cups, they’re
chilled in a tray of ice
until guests arrive.
Navel oranges hold
creative drink
markers— galvanized
plant stakes.
