Sponsored by AVA Grace Vineyards
Give me a good book, a cold glass of Chardonnay and a comfy picnic blanket sitting in a field of grass and I’m 100% content. When the weather is nice, I’ll take any opportunity to post up outside for as long as possible. I even keep a picnic blanket in my car at all times should the situation arise to use it!
Today I’m sharing five things to bring along on your next southern-style picnic to take it from basic to way above average with AVA Grace Vineyards. Head on down for a few little tips below!
1. Sweet and Savoury Snacks Will Always Please the Party
You don’t need to bring an entire four-course meal with you on your picnic. Hearty appetizers such as cheese and crackers will suffice – and are easy to transport too. My favorite cheeses to pack away for a picnic are always brie & asiago. They’re crowd pleasers & can stand up to the heat.
Simple fruits to share are grapes & strawberries. They require little to no prep other than a quick rinse before serving. I have a few marble cheese trays that I’ll throw in my basket for serving too. When I’m set to entertain, nobody can stop me from using all of the pieces in my china cabinet – even when outdoors!
2. Opt for White Wine on Hot Summer Days
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are my two go-to wines for the summer season. (Not that I don’t drink them year round too, though!) I’m loving AVA Grace Vineyards right now. Their colorful labels caught my eye across the grocery store and these great value wines are also oh-so-delicious too! AVA Grace’s wines are sourced from the most fruitful wine-producing regions and their bottles are balanced, bright, and fit for any occasion.
I love my summertime wines crisp and sweet and AVA Grace’s Chardonnay has hints of peaches, apples, and lemons. The Sauvignon Blanc boasts notes of tropical fruits and has an aroma of melon, grapefruit, and gooseberry. Now doesn’t that sound just divine!?
3. Dress the Part
If you’re putting in all that effort to host the perfect picnic, why not dress up for it as well!? I’m a fan of longer maxi or midi dresses when I know I’m going to be sitting or crawling around on the ground. I love this cream dress by Chicwish. It reminds me of something someone would have worn with a big hoop skirt 150 years ago! Paired with my straw rancher hat and sandals that I can slip on and off, this look is perfect for lounging around all day!
Shop the Look:
4. Use a Vintage Quilt Instead of a Blanket
My mom is an antiques dealer and growing up we were dragged from antique shop to antique shop all across the south. I didn’t appreciate antiques then (what 12-year-old does!?) but now I can’t get enough! She has a stash of antique patchwork quilts and I was so thrilled when she gave me a few of my own.
We use these blankets for practically everything – when we have guests over, picnics in the backyard or in the park, even for the dogs when we’re on road trips. They get a good gentle wash after, of course. You can typically find vintage quilts at any antique store or newer similar-style quilts on sites such as Amazon or Overstock. You’ll be surprised how much use you would get out of a good sturdy quilt!
a few newer styles online that I’m swooning over:
5. Fresh Flowers Add the Finishing Touch
Now, this is what is going to take your picnic from 0 to 100! I have a few glass vases that I got from Ikea for less than $5 that I’ll wrap up and throw in a picnic basket to spruce up the setup. I like the idea of finding fresh flowers wherever you’re picnicking to add to the scene. For this picnic, I grabbed a few pink crepe myrtle branches from a nearby tree and dropped them in the vases. These pretty blooms are a sure sign that its summertime in Texas!
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What are some of your favorite things to bring along on a picnic to make it special? And do you have a favorite wine that you like to drink seasonally too!? Big thank you to AVA Grace Vineyards for sponsoring this blog post. As always, all opinions are my own. Thanks to you guys for supporting the brands that make Lone Star Looking Glass possible.
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xo, alice
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photos by Ban Avenue
