Dear future husband, please know that the best way to win my heart is with a sunset picnic on a warm beach…. **dreaming**
When it comes to treats, I’m all about experiences over expense, so seriously, what else in the world could be more romantic than a pretty coloured sky, sand in your toes and the man of your dreams pouring Champagne or fresh lemonade into your glass while you eat the tastiest food including all the cheeses and pâtés and crudités and dips? I mean, who needs fried chicken, this is the real finger lickin’ good stuff!
And then there are the more fun picnics with girlfriends (check out my review of the vintage French picnique in Nice with www.momentsinNice.com over in FARAWAYPLACES) or simple family picnics in the countryside, which can be all about the practical where kids are concerned.
In short, we do love a picnic over here at the F Words. And here's how to make sure your picnic looks seriously stylish. No time to cook everything from fresh? Keep things simple and swing by M&S, Sawyers or Arcadia for the goodies, pack a basket and off you go. Choose from some of our favourite picnicware, gadgets and accessories for the ultimate spread!
Baskets
Always the centre piece, baskets can be as simple or extravagant as your personal preference and budget allow. Fill your own empty one with your choice of picnicware, choose a ready made option or opt for a simple cooler bag.
beachcrest picnic basket £31.99
Fortnum Mason Piccadilly hamper -£275
John lewis empty picnic basket -£30
John Lewis Croft Collection picnic hamper -£90.
Personalised potbelly picnic hamper £89 NOTHS
pom pom insulated picnic back pack £8 Next
Sunbaked Dorothy hamper M&S £25
Blankets
Waterproof backed is always best (especially in Northern Ireland!), though I'm struggling to resist these beautiful monogrammed options and a traditional red and white check is always a winner too. If you're off to the beach, a lightweight fabric rug is easiest to shake the sand off at the end of your meal.
just a joy red gingham padded picnic rug £49.50 NOTHS
National Trust waterproof backed herringbone rug -£35
Personalised picnic rug £58 NOTHS
Raspberry Mango Striped Summer Picnic Blanket, Dibor £15
Picnicware
Choose from chic marbled designs to brightly coloured fun patterns... some of these are so cute I wish they were available in everyday crockery!
4 marble melamine plates Next "£12
Brushstrokes picnic range M&S -£3-12.50
Novelty drinkware picnic collection M&S -£3-12.50
Plastic pineapple cup -£5 Next
Reactive picnic range £9.50-16 M&S
Set of 4 plastic prosecco glasses -£12 Next
Extra Extra Accessories
You can't beat some pretty lights to add a little twinkle to the occasion, whether you string them from tree tops or drape around your blanket. Citronella candles help keep the midges and mozzies away too!
Next festoon lights -£25
Solar led lights (100) -£14 Next
Citronella Bamboo Torch -£2.99 The Range
For the ultimate in picnic style, add a hammock or two (even better, a hammock for two!). Location dependent of course, though there are loads of free standing options around now.
Hammock in a bag £12.00 Argos
Optimise your tunes wherever you go with a wireless outdoor speaker. I'm loving this colourful Ultimate Ears one.
Ultimate Ears Wireless outdoor speaker from -£59.95 Amazon
If you're lucky enough to be picnicking by a pool, this inflatable cooler is the ultimate extra accessory!
inflatable cooler -£10.99 partydelights.co.uk