Picnic Essentials

With Memorial Day weekend beckoning the official arrival of
the always-anticipated summer season, it’s time to get into the alfresco spirit and undertake some distinctly modern picnic adventures! With a host of
outdoor meal accoutrements that range from playful to posh, you’ll be set for
outdoor dining all summer long. —

For the perfect picnic: Lower East Sider Wendy Weston came up with the idea
for Perfect Picnic after feasting on delicious bread, cheese and cured meats
while traveling down the Amalfi Coast
several years ago. Now offering New Yorkers easy access to local, artisanal foods,
Perfect Picnic will prepare classic European or American fare and either deliver directly to your picnic spot or arrange your
order for pick-up from Battery Park, Columbus
Circle or South Street Seaport. Kid-friendly picnics available, too!

perfectpicnicnyc.com

For the urban picnicker: Of course, the best way to stay cool
in the summer heat is with a refreshing beverage and tasty, chilled
treats. For city-dwelling parents on the go – looking to stay fresh to and
from picnic destinations – So Young’s insulated cooler bags are just the ticket!
From their modern designs and urban look, to their adjustable straps and roomy
interior, these ice-cool totes are sure to keep your treats crisp while you’re
searching for that perfect picnic spot in the shade.

$27.95, soyoung.ca

For the sweet tooth: For a sweet twist on the classic
fortune cookie surprise – combined with the beloved cupcake craze – whip up
some tasty, pint-sized picnic treats with cheeky Fortune Cupcake wrappers from
Chronicle Books. With eye-catching designs and mystical predictions on the
inside, the fun flows from baking to eating.

$4.99, fredflare.com

For beach blanket afternoons: No need to stick to the
tried-and-true checkered picnic blanket. Ideal for relaxing, open-air dinners
at the beach, Williams-Sonoma’s Rustic European Picnic Blanket combines an air of casual luxury with easy,
breezy practicality. The blanket’s subtle red, white & blue colors and yarn-died cotton exude relaxed summer fun.

$29, williams-sonoma.com

For the anglophile: Don’t forget utensils! For a sustainable
alternative – that’s also super-stylish and durable – try across-the-pond
favorite Cath Kidston’s demure silverware set. These stainless steel & melamine forks, knives and spoons are sure
to withstand the outdoor elements in bloody brilliant style!

$75,
cathkidstonusa.com

Mia Weber is a
blogger and independent media producer. For more on Mia, see our
contributors list to the right. She can be reached at sopresh.blog@googlemail.com and found on Twitter at @SoPreshBlog.