fiive minutes IT’S PICNIC TIME!
If there's one thing that lockdown and binge watching Bridgerton has taught us, it's that picnics are a very good thing. Large expanses of parkland, people-watching and a Babybell pressed into a bap will never be sniffed at again. Here's our guide to turning your picnic rug into a five star dining experience...
C.O. Bigelow’s Sakura Rose Salve No.787, £8.50, Liberty
Keep lips moist and ready for sandwich action with this gorgeous tin of multi-purpose balm. Formulated with cotton seed oil, lanolin oil, rose essential oil and squalene it can be used to treat chapped and dry skin on any part of your body that needs a little tlc.
Set of 6 Rainbow Napkins, £92, Rainbow Cutlery (12 piece), £130, Matilda Goad
We would kill for a Matilda Goad abode but we will settle for a few well chose picnic flourishes. Non iron (yes, really!) linen napkins with a scalloped edge and rainbow cutlery are definitely al fresco essentials. Birthday vouchers from MG this year please…
Blouse, £35.99, Mango
Bring that breath of fresh air, outdoorsy vibe with you wherever you roam or get matchy, matchy with your picnic rug. We adore this gingham check blouse from Mango which comes in pink too.
Chantecaille Rose Geranium and Basil Hand Sanitiser (50ml), £12
Definitely a picnic essential if not a life essential these days, this is the nicest smelling, most gentle hand sanitiser ever. The end.
Philomina Sandals, £80, Boden
Ooh we like these. Gorgeous footbed sandals in muted shades that have a distinctly Marni-esque vibe. Cute and comfy for gentle outdoor pursuits.
Air Heart Oversized Sunglasses, £60, Liberty
Vintage style sunglasses with chunky resin frames are our favourite right now.. These ones from Le Specs
Avène Very High Protection B-Protect SPF50+ Sun Cream for Sensitive Skin 30ml, £14, Look Fantastic
Anything from Avène is a brilliant buy as far as we’re concerned and this new Factor 50 Sun Cream will keep the rays at bay and leave you to enjoy your al-fresco from Tesco without a sun damage care in the world. Great texture, super easy to rub in and great for sensitive skin and kids.
Miller Harris WANDER through the parks (100ml), £125
What better scent for an outdoor picnic in the park than this? Miller Harris has honed in on the sappy scent of the stinging nettles that spring up all over London, producing a unique, sparkling green scent blended with uplifting zesty fruits. The result is a super fresh, unisex fragrance which will make people stop and lay sandwiches at your feet.
Zara Melamine plates and bowls, from £9.99
Everyone needs proper picnic-ware for a civilised dejeuner sur l’herbe and Zara Home have come up with these gingham print delights in lime green and lemon yellow. And no, there is no such thing as too much gingham.
GUCCI Beauty Rouge à Lèvres Voile – Three Wise Girls 401, £35
The prettiest pink rose strewn lipstick we ever saw! We curse ourselves that we are so insanely beguiled by Gucci’s new vintage inspired packaging but then we console ourselves that creative director, Alessandro Michele is an actual wizard. We have to say the contents really do live up to the presentation. Hot pink is definitely the hue for a hot Summer social.
HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Blush, £38
No picnic look is complete without a gorgeous bloom on the cheeks. If you’ve watched Bridgerton, this might take on a whole different meaning but wherever your dab your brush, this highly pigmented, supernaturally glowy blush will make sure you stand out against the roses and look suitably flushed with excitement about the outdoor smorgasbord.
Lily and Lionel for Katie Leamon Heirloom Pressed Floral Lay Flat Notebook, £24.95
Yes, we do like to write poetry on a picnic. Okay, this isn’t strictly an outdoor essential but these notebooks are so pretty it would be a crying shame not to throw one in your bag and start enigmatically journalling against a tree (not a Bridgerton reference). Or you could just write your picnic menu in one to really set the mood…
Cath Kidston Cherries Picnic Basket, £90
Has anyone else noticed that Cath Kidston is on fire at the moment? Not literally burning down but just full of the most amazing covetable pieces, new prints, gorgeous PJ’s and ric-rac trimmed blouses. Bravo to the new design team. We LOVE this adorable cherry print hamper that would make any meal outside a treat. Even hard-boiled eggs.
Embellished Cherry Earrings, £38, Boden
Love, love, love these and they’re a lot less sticky than hanging real cherries over your ears.
Potage Sausage Rolls, £8 for 6
If you don’t have time to rustle up sausage rolls from scratch, order some in from take-away extraordinaire Potage. Every Potage dish we’ve sampled has been divine and they now deliver nationwide. Heat them up from frozen, hide packaging and take them still warm to the picnic.
Liberty Forest Road Hamper, £250
A Liberty fabric trimmed, wicker hamper full of artisanal goods, boozy bottled delights and flavoursome condiments. We may have died and gone to heaven. Bagsy the damson vodka liqueur.
Lind & Lime Gin, £45, Harvey Nichols
Fresh from the freezer with extra chilled tonic water please! Confession: We chose this for the pretty bottle but the “bright and citrusy, it’s a charming gin for a G&T on a summer’s day.” description nailed it.