ft. Long Weekend Happenings For When You Want To Leave The House (And For When You Don’t)

July 1, 2021 by Sydney Grant

Happy long weekend to everyone except the judge who denied Britney’s case and Jamie Spears! Isn’t Fourth of July literally supposed to be about freedom??? Sigh. Anyway, it’s a holiday — let’s celebrate! For those of you still trying to figure out your plans, I’ve got some outdoor movie screenings, fun happenings, and of course, firework viewings for you below. And if doing your hair and putting on clothes sounds exactly how you would not like to spend your PTO, don’t worry — I’ve got you too.

However you’re planning on spending your weekend, enjoy these quarantivities!

For when you feel like leaving the house…

Grab a bite bc Smorgasburg is back:

Smorasburg LA

Spend the night jazzin’ out at the Farmer’s Market:

Summer Sounds at the Farmer’s Market

Hit some Westside bars with complete strangers (because it’s been so long since we had a drunk rando spill their Budweiser on us):

4th of July Santa Monica Pub Crawl

Catch the “Koolest” firework show in town:

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Kool & the Gang

Or the “dirtiest”:

Dirty Dancing + Fireworks @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Not down with either of those? Okay, Goldilocks — check out THESE firework options until you find one that’s just right:

Where To See 4th of July Fireworks In LA

Take a Day Trip with Chromeo, Diplo, & more:

Day Trip LA Music Festival

Or spend the night with the Goonies:

The Drive-In at Santa Monica Airport ft. ‘The Goonies

Drink an overpriced cocktail and dance the night away:

The 19 Most Fun Bars In LA Right Now

And for when you don’t…

Snag these heat wave must-haves:

11 Products for Anyone Who Hates Being Hot

Create your own rooftop bar from home (after a quick run to TJ’s):

The 10 Best Summer Wines from Trader Joe’s, According to a TikTok Sommelier

Make a cake and then eat it, too:

These 4th of July Cakes Are Sweet Showstoppers

Take advantage of some 4th of July deals (bc nothing screams “America!” like some good ole fashioned capitalism!):

A Complete Guide to All the Best Fourth of July Sales

Throw this on — bc no backyard bbq is complete without Bruce Springsteen (I don’t make the rules!):

Spotify’s Backyard BBQ Playlist

Give your house plants some TLC:

How To Keep Your Plants Alive During a Heat Wave

Watch one of these festive flicks:

The 27 Best Patriotic 4th of July Movies to Watch This Holiday

Connect with your ~spiritual side~ and read your July horoscope (hellooo Cancer season):

Your Monthly Horoscope: July 2021

Quarant-eats

Cheddar-Stuffed Turkey Burger With Avocado via NYT Cooking:

Make this if the tofu burger I suggested last week just didn’t do it for you:

Photo: Romulo Yanes for The New York Times. Food styling: Vivian Lui

INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ pounds lean ground turkey
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons butter, plus more for cooking
5 (1-ounce) slices sharp Cheddar or horseradish Cheddar
4 Hawaiian hamburger buns
1 to 2 firm-ripe avocado, thinly sliced
Mayonnaise or other burger toppings (pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard), to taste

PREPARATION

Combine the turkey, salt, pepper and parsley in a large bowl and mix with a fork or clean hands to season evenly. Add the egg and milk and stir to combine.
Divide the meat into four portions with damp hands and gently pack into four round patties, about 3/4-inch thick. (It will feel very sticky because of the egg, which helps burgers hold their shape as they cook.) Place burgers on a parchment-lined baking tray or plate. Cut the butter into slices and 1 slice of the cheese into 4 thin squares, about 1 inch across. (The butter and cheese should be the same size.) Press a piece of each into the center of each burger. Shape the meat around it to cover across the top. Refrigerate for 10 minutes while you prepare the griddle.
Heat a flat-top griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough butter just lightly coat the griddle or pan. Add the burgers to the griddle and cook until browned and just cooked through and a thermometer inserted into the meat (not the cheese in the center) reaches 165 degrees, about 4 minutes per side. In the final 2 minutes of cooking, add the remaining 4 cheese slices to the burgers, to melt.
Remove the burgers from the heat and layer onto the buns with the avocado and any other burger toppings you desire. Serve warm.

Strawberry Blueberry Shortcakes via What’s Gaby Cooking:

Make these bc two berries are better than one: