EMBRACING ALFRESCO DINING WITH THE PERFECT PICNIC
A L T E R M E H O M E A N E C D O T E S
No matter what the weather brings this summer, there's nothing quite like a picnic in an idyllic spot…
Last week we had the absolute pleasure of joining Lucie from @therusticshackk on a picnic photoshoot, with the talented Sophie @sophieharveycurated for the upcoming summer issue of @prelovedmagazine. I am excited to take you behind the scenes of this pretty picnic shoot and also share some top tips on how to host and have the most delightful picnic’s this summer!
LUCIE - THE RUSTIC SHACK
& SOPHIE HARVEY - PRE LOVED MAGAZINE
Lucie sources her products from various wonderful places around Europe, curating vintage finds that have already been used and loved for many years to re-sell online, so that they can be enjoyed in a new home and tell more stories to come. Her range is absolutely stunning and worked beautifully with our products which really lend themselves to rustic and vintage interiors, it was a pleasure to be able to collaborate on this photoshoot. You can shop all of her charming vintage finds here!
It was an absolute honour to get to be a part of this shoot with Sophie @sophieharveycurated, founder, editor and photographer of the incredible Preloved magazine, a publication shining a light on living more sustainably.
“PRELOVED offers you an insight into interiors, décor, styling curation, creativity, vintage, sustainably, connecting with likeminded people and businesses it will also key into and contribute to a positive wellbeing and mind.
“This beautiful publication has been curated and contributed by the best of the best; friends of Stone and Sage and familiar faces you might recognise within the interiors and home industry. ” - Preloved magazine. ”
If you would like any more information on the publication, or to pre-order the Summer issue now, just click the link here .
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY OF PRELOVED MAGAZINE HERE
CREATING AND CURATING YOUR PERFECT PICNIC
First and foremost, it is important to note that picnicking need not be reserved for sunny days. Our photoshoot took place in a delightful nook, sheltered by towering trees and facing a tranquil lake, with golf umbrellas on standby for the impending rain! The concept is simple: bring together friends, family, and loved ones, pack a selection of your favourite snacks, and relish the time spent in the serenity of nature.
Picnic Preparation
This can be done in very little time at all, so whether you opt for a planned picnic, where food is made and prepared for the occasion in advance, wrapped and stored efficiently in cool bags or baskets - or an impromptu picnic, food from the cupboards thrown together for a picky ensemble to snack on and share once you get there.
The destination need not be fancy either, you could simply walk to one of your favourite local spots and set up there, or perhaps you know somewhere that is a short car drive away like a local green space or open water - even the beach if you are lucky enough to live near by!
THE PICNIC PACKING LIST;
Large cushions for comfort - we suggest our larger 60x60 squares - the perfect bottom perching size - we used out NEW Olney grain sack cushions but any work well and you could even take some of our outdoor cushions along which are a little more resilient to rain and stains!
Plastic backed picnic mat - the most important part, here we layered one of our neutral throws over the top for a more atheistically pleasing and cohesive look for the photos but any old blanket works! A few bin liners on the ground underneath indoor blankets will protect them from any previous rain fall or debris on the floor below. ( you may also consider taking some large umbrellas or parasols depending on the weather forecast.. )
Baskets baskets baskets! Not only do we love the look of an old vintage basket, but there is something quite wonderful in knowing that a vintage basket will have so many stories to tell, handed down by other generations for accompanying shopping trips, holding and storing possessions or even used for past picnics too! We suggest a few ice blocks wrapped in tissue / tea towels to keep your food cool! Check out the wonderful selection from The Rustic Shack here.
Cutlery, cups and plates - just grab what you have! We took these from our own crockery selection and simply wrapped them inside the blankets for safe transportation - which mitigates the need to buy anything disposable or plastic just for the occasion! (we’d also suggest taking some reusable bowl covers, great for any left overs - you can shop our range here to ensure that there is no food wasted!)
Rustic vintage wooden boards - instantly elevate the picnic pickings, regardless of how fancy the food, arranged on these will not only look impressive but be easier to share between you! Again you can find lots of lovely ones over on the The Rustic Shack.
Napkins for greasy fingers - picking at the picnic can result in a few greasy hands so having napkins at the ready is a must! We used our new Cirencester check napkins here but again any fabric napkins will do! We like to encourage using fabric napkins as these can be washed and used again and again rather than disposable alternatives… simply let the stains that gather be part of the stories these have to tell; ‘remember that time at the picnic where you spilled the red wine all over those nice new napkins’ - and take from them the happy memories in which they were created on!
Last but not least, and by far our favourite - Fabric bunting! We LOVE using this for any occasion, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, bunting holds a celebratory feeling and we think you should celebrate every day and every picnic! Simply tie the ends to nearby trees - or pack some shepherd crooks like we have used for the shoot (stolen from my garden and covered in cobwebs but did the job!) and you are ready to get eating, drinking and chatting away! We offer linen or outdoor bunting and again prefer to opt for this over paper bunting so that it can be stored and re used whenever you fancy!
