PICNIC
They are plenty of small items that can make your stay at beach or at the park more enjoyable. It is better to shop for them before your vacation starts. These summer essentials display style and function.
Recreational Recliner
The Metro Seat by Picnic Time is a portable, recreational recliner with shoulder strap. The Metro Seat is available in 4 colors. It is color coordinated with the Metro Basket that I introduced last year. Looking similar, the Metro Melrose Bag is an insulated tote with a picnic service for four.
Colorful Dinnerware and Serving Ware
Stock bowls in punch colors to serve ice cream, cereals and cold soups. The Medium Orange, Large Green and Small Blue Birthday Party Cake Stands are currently on sale at Pottery Barn. At $29 for the set, it does not cost an arm to add a festive touch to any table.
Categories:
OUTDOOR living
HOME + GARDEN
PICNIC
posted @ Monday, July 07, 2008 11:17 AM | Feedback (0)
Having a small table when you go for a picnic adds comfort. You can use it for the food, your radio or a lantern. These two models are easy to transport.
The Adirondack folding side table is a cute option if you travel by car. Target sells in an impressive 14 colors. Prices vary with the colors. I am showing you the moss, the middle range price at $39.99.
I bought a modern version at IKEA a few years ago. I put it next to my terrace door to deposit bags and plates. I tinted with outdoor wood stain. It does not seem to be available anymore.
The Nacho Portable Folding Table is super easy to transport. It is ideal for camping and hunting trip. Available in several in several cloth colors, the only downside is that it lacks panache. Check the Folding Camping Picnic Tables department for more models and colors.
Categories:
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
posted @ Thursday, June 26, 2008 1:37 PM | Feedback (1)
Literal party themes are not my thing. You do not need to fill the room with maple leafs or over saturate the space with the flag patterns like it is suggested by the mass produced dinnerware and party supplies.
You can still show your patriotism at your party by doing it on a more subtle way. Deconstruct the element of the flag, reinvent the color palette by adding a trendy accent color. The idea is to create a unique modern and more sophisticated party scheme.
If you look closely at these styled pictures by IKEA, you can devise around the Summer IKEA collection a beautiful scheme to celebrate either Canada Day or the Fourth of July. At least, you will be able to enjoy the stuff the rest of the summer.
Dining On the Lawn Setting
Do a picnic in your backyard. Lay down several eating areas with DYNING, a beach mat available in red and light blue.Fill the floor with red and white HEMÖN rugs, SOMMAR table runners and GRENÖ round cushions.
Categories:
HOLIDAY entertaining
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
posted @ Wednesday, June 25, 2008 3:00 PM | Feedback (2)
I started over my post series that highlighted great posts from my blogroll. I named this collection of fabulous posts Fabupost.
Dressing up Tartlets and Sandwiches
The honor goes to La Tartine Gourmande with her post about a Celeriac and Long Pepper Tartlet and a picnic with the man of her life on this Memorial Day. Her pictures and writing inspire me to try making adorable tartlets like hers.
And look at how fantastic is her sandwich presentation. If you are a good cook or if you are or pressed by time, you should not be afraid to serve sandwiches to your guests. Simply invite your guests for lunch instead of dinner. Put attention to details and you will be able to impress your guests with any food.
Categories:
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
posted @ Monday, May 26, 2008 6:14 PM | Feedback (0)
Father's Day is the third Sunday from now (June 15th, 2008). I will give you a head start with these tasteful and practical gift ideas for your dad.
Picnic Drinkware
The red and aqua outdoor tumblers, hi-ball glasses, wine glasses and jugs by John Lewis remind me of the hip nautical palette I showed you two weeks ago. I enjoy these gender-neutral festive hues for summer.
Picnic Blankets / Rugs
For lunches on the grass or free summer concerts in the park, a picnic rug comes handy.
I have never seen picnic blankets as fashionable as the John Lewis Ascot Picnic Rug. Very British style!
But dads may prefer the more masculine brown or navy John Lewis Picnic Rug in a Bag. The look is also more casual.
Categories:
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
GIFTS for him
posted @ Monday, May 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Feedback (0)
Summer is almost here so it is time to complete your outdoor entertaining kits. A Sunday afternoon at the beach, the park or the cottage with friends and family feels like heaven.
If the weather allowed, why not plan an outdoor party for Mother’s Day? After all, a day at the beach or the cottage encompasses joy, laughs and sharing a meal together.
A few outdoor entertaining accessories will make the day feels more special. I gather some cool stuff from Macy’s and Pottery Barn that your mother can reuse all summer long.
Gift Ideas
The Garden Party Lanterns at the top come with a 5 oz. bag of famous key lime cooler cookies.
Another solution for lighting that you can put on a table and hang is the colored tapered glass Pressick Lantern. Do not forget to buy the lantern stake sold separately if you want to hang the Pressick Lanterns. If you do not like these styles, there are 7 more models of candlelight lanterns and 3 string light lanterns at Pottery Barn.
Categories:
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
OUTDOOR parties
posted @ Sunday, May 04, 2008 12:28 PM | Feedback (1)
It is snowy a lot down here so I feel that a piece of sunny paradise is in order. These pictures were taken from the Six Senses luxury resorts, which are absolutely stunning vacation places.
Luxury and Romantic Accommodations
Guests at any of the Six Senses resorts stay in their own villa with generous personal space. Although the villas respect the country traditional architecture, their style displays a hint of modern architecture. These resorts are unique and remarkable.
But even though you do not live in such an idyllic place, you can still throw a fabulous romantic picnic. As I checked how Six Senses designed the private dining experience for their guests, I can see that the same elements are reused and adapted to the surroundings.
The Basic Recipe
If you wish to host a romantic dinner, find a beautiful secluded spot, bring up lots of deep cushions, rattan stools or even a table and chairs. Add candle lights, throws and serve a bunch of appetizers. Bring exotic looking trays in earthy materials. Hire a caterer and ask them to set it properly so it is easy to display on site.
Categories:
TRAVEL
ENTERTAINING
PICNIC
posted @ Wednesday, March 05, 2008 12:32 PM | Feedback (4)
These photos were styled by Lara Hutton of The Names Agency. This Australian stylist marvelously created scenes for products and food amongst other things. I discovered her through a post on design to inspire blog.
If the photo in the park and the veranda scene do not inspire you to organize a stylish picnic this weekend I do not know what will. It is fun to see how a few careful chosen items can generate a magnificent atmosphere. These two themes are easy to duplicate. And they can be done on a limited budget.
Categories:
HOME + GARDEN
PICNIC
posted @ Thursday, July 12, 2007 3:18 PM | Feedback (2)
The manager of Give Simple Catherine emailed me about a great melamine collection that they got at Give Simple online store. Better yet, several products are on sale right now. So I went to check it out. What I came across was the wonderful French Bull melamine collection.
Bold and festive patterns are ideal for par ties around the pool and for family events with kids. The design industry creates wonderful affordable things these days. Wonderful patterns are found in tableware, textiles and stationery.
When fashion designer Jackie Shapiro founded French Bull in 2002 things were different. She started a little revolution back then by making home ware products for design conscious consumers at accessible prices. Jackie Shapiro describes her company in these terms:
French Bull reinterprets melamine, a nostalgic material popular in the 1960's, with a fresh look for a modern lifestyle, bringing back this familiar and functional, accessibly priced material in graphic and modern patterns otherwise not available.
Categories:
TABLEWARE
DINING
PICNIC
posted @ Friday, June 22, 2007 5:59 PM | Feedback (1)