Picnic Like a Pro With These Drool-Worthy Picks...

Courtesy of Kamron Sanders

Hi Friends,

There is something so simple and elegant about setting off on a picnic with nothing but your favorite bottle of wine and an assortment of cheeses and charcuteries you picked up at the market. This tasteful tote has space for everything you’ll remember and includes everything you’ll forget: corkscrew, cheese knife and a mini charcuterie board. Bonus: It is insulated and cheese-approved.

BUY IT: Amazon, $55.12

Everything but the Family Crest


Maybe elegance is still what you’re after, but "simple" is not a word you’ve ever been described with. This is the picnic basket for you. With porcelain plates, stemless wine glasses, a wooden serving table, stainless steel cutlery, an American-made quilt and much, much more, this willow and leather basket is more of a family heirloom than just a picnic basket.

BUY IT: Amazon, $304.99

Don't Forget the Napkins


Who says disposable napkins have to look disposable? These beautiful, striped paper napkins from Hearth & Hand are sure to handle all the messy clean-up of a picnic meal while giving your linens back home a run for their money in the style department.

BUY IT: Target, 14 for $2.99

BYOB on a Bike


Biking and carrying things do not go hand in hand. Even harder still? Biking and trying to hold a flimsy piece of cardboard filled with six fragile bottles. This 100% genuine leather six-pack caddy straps each bottle in tightly and allows you to secure it from the top tube of your bike or carry it as a typical six-pack. It allows plenty of room for peddling while keeping your craft brews out of harm’s way and ensuring they get to your destination safely.

BUY IT: Amazon, $69.95

Cut It Up


The whole point of picnicking is to get outside and trade the comforts of the table for the beauty of the destination — and to eat amazing food, of course. This knife and cutting board travel set allows you to leave the house but cook like you never left the kitchen. The stainless-steel blade boasts a razor-sharp edge, and the solid oak block naturally disinfects itself. It all comes safely wrapped in an easy to clean nylon cover, so you’re never stuck with a dried-on mess.

BUY IT: Food 52, $70

Carry On


What's a picnic without a stylish and durable picnic blanket? Make your picnic blanket ultra-portable with an easy-to-use leather carrier. No matter what your preferred blanket is, this handmade, 100% genuine-leather blanket carrier comes fitted with adjustable straps to ensure that you and your blanket always arrive in style.

BUY IT: The Handloom, $48

Heat It Up


Instead of precooking all of your picnic food, save the cooking for the destination. This charcoal grill packs up into a sleek briefcase for traveling but unfolds into a serious cooking surface ready to take on whatever is on the menu. The inner tray and cooking surface are dishwasher safe and the perforated case keeps the outside cool to the touch while keeping the inside nice and toasty.

BUY IT: AHAlife, $390 or Amazon, $390

Disposable Made Easy


Disposable casserole dishes are a life saver for feeding friends on the go. No cleanup, no dirty dishes in the car and no having to worry about broken glass all over the place. There is one major flaw with aluminum pans though: flimsiness. You can’t carry them or drive with them without them bending and spilling the tasty contents of your prized dish. That’s where these bad boys come in handy. Get those casseroles, sheet cakes and cobblers safely to the park with a 100% BPA-free polypropylene suitcase doing the grunt work your aluminum pans just can’t handle.

BUY IT: Food 52, two for $40

Dining in Style


Say goodbye to the days of boring, disposable paper and plastic plates being the only options for practical picnicking. These days, it's easy to find reusable plates that match your taste at an affordable price. These melamine plates come printed in beautifully sophisticated flora that may even give your dinner plates a run for their money.

BUY IT: Nordstrom, $10

Turn Up the Tunes


There seems to be no end to the list of Bluetooth speakers on the market, so why not opt for one that makes a statement. Besides being the coolest-looking speaker we’ve seen, this one also features an AM/FM receiver, an aux cord and a sand- and water-resistant compartment to stow away your smartphone while you crank some tunes.

BUY IT: Anthropologie, $50

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these links.

These 10 products are sure to up your picnic potential...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Go Glamping: Throw a Luxury Camping Party at Home

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Hi Friends,

You Don't Have to Rough It. Take dining alfresco to a new level by organizing a glamping dinner party. Guests get to spend the night in comfy tents after a scrumptious spread in open air. Glamping is a rather unique sort of experience, so the items you will need to take with you will differ greatly from those you would use on a basic camping trip.

Summery Popsicle Invites


Get friends in the mood for some outdoorsy fun with creative invitations shaped like Popsicles. Download the invite template here.

RVSPrizes


Send guests who RSVP "yes" a camping kit that includes hand towels, wipes and hot chocolate mix in chic pouches such as these by Hammocks and High Tea.

Thoughtful Favors


Attention to details such as paper fans goes a long way in making guests feel special. Order fans in assorted colors that pop against the subtle, natural backdrop.

Carry the Theme


Creative labels on water bottles carry the theme of party. Claudia of fig2design designed lovely pieces for invitations, menu cards, favors and food labels that make guests feel welcome and in the party spirit. Place water bottles on beverage stations as well as in each tent.

Handy Snacks


Make sure to have plenty of snacks and nibbles for guests to enjoy during the day. These paper pockets of mixed nuts are portable and can be slipped into backpacks for hiking.

Setting Up Camp


Whether you are glamping at a designated campground, your family's estate garden, the beach or your own backyard, make sure to pitch the tent on level ground. Clear sticks and stones away beforehand. With so many options available, finding a pop-up weatherproof tent has never been easier. Choose one that best meets your needs in terms of size and portability. This one from Ikea works well because it has a solid structure, movable drapes and is large enough to fit two cots.

Folding Furniture


Chairs, cots and tables are key elements for creating a comfortable sleep/lounge area. Layer them with plenty of pillows and throws in outdoor fabrics. There's just something about snuggling up under a canvas tent and not having to worry about your air mattress going flat in the night!

Light Up the Night


It's important to think about lighting, especially once it gets dark. The warm glow of candles, string lights and lanterns creates a fun outdoor mood. Tea lights, and many battery-operated lighting options, are available at stores like Target and Home Depot. Hang lanterns from the tent ceiling using ribbons. Arrange some tea lights in cans or votives along the path leading to the campsite.

Transform the Tent


A few easy DIY ideas can transform the look of the tent. Colorful paper streamers along the canopy add movement and visual interest. Or pin circle cutouts in various sizes to the drapes.

From Tent to Table


Much like hosting a get-together at home, when setting up a dinner table outdoors, decide on a color palette and chose elements that require minimal fuss. Set up folding tables for the buffet station and dinner table.

Start by covering tables with heavyweight cottons and linen fabrics. Oilcloth is another great alternative. Here the table cover is layered with silicone placemats from Modern Twist. The gold graphic brings a touch of glamour, and it looks chic against the black-and-white stripes. These place mats are easy to clean, nonporous, provide a germ-free surface and are great to wrap fragile items in.

Gilded Accessories


Colors like blues, pinks and yellows create a fun and cheerful look. Gold accents look great in sunlight as well as in the soft glow of candles. Gold flatware also brings a level of elegant sophistication to the table.

Pachyderm Place Card Holders


The gilded elephant place card holders from The Knot Wedding Shop work well with the overall look of the table.

DIY Tin Can Vases


No party decor is complete without fresh-cut flowers. For this look, choose dual-toned ranunculus and pink peonies, then place them in painted tin cans and bud vases. Spray each can in two colors using painter's tape. Cobalt bud vases with single stems pop wonderfully against the black-and-white striped tablecloth.

Printed Menus


Zigzag menus on neon card stock play up the bright colors while informing guests what to expect for dinner.

Durable Dishes


Melamine plates and tumblers are ideal for such a setting, and with so many designs available, you won't have to compromise on style. These dinner plates are from West Elm and the salad plates are by Jonathan Adler. Hint: Pick up a few sticks and spray-paint them gold to add a bit of nature to the table.

Get Toasty


Light up a camp-side fire in a portable fire pit for guests to lounge around after dinner.

Warm summer nights are perfect for glamping dinner parties. Invite friends to enjoy nature views and delicious meals under the stars for a glamorous camping experience, all without forgoing the luxury of home.

Look for great glamping luxury party recipes over the next two weeks...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Fiery Grilled Shrimp With Honeydew Gazpacho Recipe to serve at your Luxury Camping Party at Home...

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Hi Friends,

Last week we shared ideas for Going Glamp with a Luxury Camping Party at Home. As promised, over the next two weeks we you will find recipes perfect for glamping...

Fiery Grilled Shrimp With Honeydew Gazpacho Recipe
Cold soup and hot shrimp: The blend of honeyed sweetness with intensely savory vegetables makes this dish refreshing and a delightful combination for warm nights.

Ingredients

• 1/2 ripe honeydew, seeded
• 1 small fennel bulb, coarsely chopped
• 1 celery heart stalk, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 English cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded, and chopped
• 1 fresh green Thai chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus more to taste and wedges for serving
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar, plus more to taste
• Crushed red chile flakes
• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves, very thinly sliced, plus more for garnish
• 1 pound large (16- to 20-count) shrimp, shelled and deveined
• Extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions
Cut away the honeydew rind and the dark green flesh close to the rind. Cut the honeydew into 1-inch chunks. You should have 4 cups of melon.

Put the melon in a blender along with the fennel, celery, cucumber, and jalapeños. Blend on low speed until almost smooth. Strain through a medium-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids. Stir in the minced chilies, lime juice, salt, and sugar. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cover tightly and refrigerate until very cold.

When ready to serve, heat your grill on high until very hot.

Sprinkle salt, chile flakes, and the mint all over the shrimp, then gently press in the seasonings. Drizzle a little oil all over the shrimp. Grill the shrimp, flipping once, until just opaque throughout, about 3 minutes. Skewer to serve if desired.

Divide the cold soup among cold serving bowls. Serve the hot shrimp on small plates next to the bowls. Drizzle a little oil over the soup and shrimp. Garnish the soup with mint and squirt a little lime juice over the shrimp. Serve immediately.

The combination of cold soup and hot shrimp makes this a refreshing dish for warm nights.

Next week we will share a Goat Cheese Quesadillas With Tomato and Corn Salsa that will set you glamp party on fire...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Goat Cheese Quesadillas With Tomato and Corn Salsa Recipe to serve at your Luxury Camping Party at Home...

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Hi Friends,

Quesadillas are classy nibbles for a glamping party, and they're easy to make with a camp stove.

Ingredients

• Olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray
• 8 10-inch flour tortillas
• 12 ounces soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)
• Tomato and Corn Salsa

Camp Stove Instructions:

• Spray a large skillet with oil and warm over medium-high heat on the stove. Place 1 tortilla in the hot skillet, and top with one-quarter (about 3 ounces) of the cheese and one-quarter of the salsa. Top with a second tortilla. Cook, about 3 minutes, until the bottom tortilla is golden brown. Turn the quesadilla over and continue cooking, about 3 minutes more, until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Remove from the skillet and cut into wedges. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese, and salsa. Serve immediately.

Hint: Make craft paper pockets for quesadillas that keep hands clean. Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne