Picnic season is in full swing. We’ve enjoyed a picnic in Central Park for the past two weekends in a row. A picnic can be impromptu or carefully planned, a beachside event or a gathering on a bench. I find picnics to be one of the most enjoyable activities. For a history of the picnic, visit Cassandra Considers.
Rooftop picnic via 7 Year Wedding
Tumblr. I’m loving the vintage plaid lunchbox. I used to carry one myself!
And let’s not forget the food!
Our picnics typically include a few good cheeses, salami, garlic stuffed olives, and fruit.
The key to any great picnic is packing a mix of savory and sweet items:
Crostini with peaches, bleu cheese, and honey via Bev Cooks or Pear Walnut and Ricotta Crostini
Avacado and tzaziki sandwich via Pinterest
Corn, tomato and cheddar pie via Clockwork Lemon
or a simple prosciutto, mozarella, and basil sandwich on crusty bread
via Linzer Tart.
A refreshing salad always complements a picnic:
White House Salad via ivillage
Avocado chicken salad via Becoming Betty
Blood orange and fennel salad via Kiran Tarun
Other ideas: seashell pasta with basil, tomatoes, and garlic, a simple fruit salad with honey lime dressing, or melon and prosciutto skewers.
For an alternative to packaged chips, try:
Baked beet chips via Martha Stewart
or
Store a tasty thirst quencher in leftover jam jars:
via Parents.com
How about filling the jars with…
Peach summer sangria via Pizzazzerie
Blackberry Bourbon lemonade via Runchickenrun
A champagne grapefruit mojito via Style Me Pretty
Sparkling strawberry limeade via bless her heart
or
Basil Limeade via Celebrating Everyday Life
For dessert, may I suggest:
Salted caramel brownies via A Spicy Perspective
Smores cookies via Martha Stewart
Shortbread caramel sandwiches via Dust Jacket
or
Olive oil, yogurt and lime cake via Simple Provisions
or
Strawberry shortcake in a jar via Honestly Yum
For more picnic food inspiration, check out 101 20 Minute Dishes for Inspired Picnics.
I definitely love picnic food, but naturally, one of my favorite aspects of a picnic is the accessories! For a stylishly accessorized picnic, here are some products that get my stamp of approval:
Yield picnic bag that folds into a blanket via Cup of Jo.
From Kate Spade, picnic basics that pack a punch of color:
For a more modern take on picnic accessories, uncommon goods has a great selection of clever products, including a picnic backpack.
For those seeking a more traditional picnic basket, Picnic World and Dann-Online offer beautiful selections:
Sutherland Classic picnic basket
Canterbury fully stocked picnic basket
Sutherland Nottingham picnic basket
Sutherland Doppio Vino Picnic Basket
For the most aspirational of picnics, a vintage Rolls Royce picnic basket fits the bill:
via Luxist.
Ready for a picnic? What will you bring?