(8) Hand-woven blankets and floral kimonos,

Cute wicker baskets and sunhats from Soho,

Homemade sandwiches with all the dressings,

These are a few of our favourite things!

When the heat strikes, when it’s lunch time, got an empty stomach?

I simply remember my favourite things, and that it’s time tooooo picnic! (8)

[insert standing ovation here]

Thank you, thankyou, and now for your guide to the ultimate picnic…

Blanket Business

Source: 1.Etsy ($129.33) 2. Anthropologie ($198.00), 3. Anthropologie ($198.00)

When planning for “The Ultimate” anything, you should always start at the heart of the party. In this case, the heart of a picnic party is The Blanket (yes, that’s The with a capital “T” because it’s just that special)!! Quirky throws with crochet flowers nod to our flora and fauna surroundings. A mismatched quilt of every pattern under the sun breathes new life into upcycled textiles. Even basic stripes make their way into the picnic parade, with tassels on tassels on tassels. All colourful, all 100% certified boho.

!! BONUS POINTS if it’s hand made !!

This Must Be The Place

First things first, let’s get this straight: this is NOT a question of waves vs. willow tree or beach babe vs. girl scout. Choosing a location for your picnic will ultimately decide the fate of your feast. Should you set up camp on the beach, your afternoon will be filled with post-mealtime swims and she sells seashells by the seashore (ps: that’s just has hard to type as it is to say). And if you choose to retreat to the forest, you’ll likely be joined by furry woodland creatures and Ben Gibbard under the sycamore tree. So what will it be: trees and bees or sand and sun? Either way, we suggest you make a blanket fort mandatory!

What To #nomnomnom

Source: The Forest Feast/ Naturally Ella/ Sprouted Kitchen

Whether you’re boating, hiking, or tandem biking to your secret spot, you’re gonna want to pack food that’s easy to carry. Three green thumbs up for eco-friendly containers like mason jars for transporting our tasty treats. Foods from the earth make for the perfect picnic dinning. The plant protein in this zucchini ribbon, quinoa, and pesto salad (3) packs major energy for the vegan wanderer. Cali-girl Erin puts her cabin-in-the-woods spin on the super grain with mint and hearty seeds (2).

For early risers, this picnic breakfast burrito (1) will load you up with enough hearty fuel to climb Palomar Mountain! (that view tho) Stay hydrated with fresh fruits from the local farmers market, or better yet: pick your own ~en route~ to your picnic destination!

What To Cheers

Source: White Rice Couple

Let’s not forget the magic of H to 2 to the izzo O #wut *insert gangster pose*

And since we’ve previously schooled you on how to stay hydrated (here), you’re already up on your fruit infused and/or cucumber waters. Well done. For a little added fun, why not pack a summery cocktail… or two… or three? Our taste buds are calling out for mojitos, and what better way to celebrate the warm weather than giving your drink a seasonal twist? Mix up some fruity fun with this recipe for strawberry mojitos from food blog veterans White Rice Couple. The duo have also brewed up a minted sangria concoction that’s an outdoor dining must! Btw: cups are no longer permitted, it’s mason jars or bust from here on in!

What to #OOTD

Source: For Love and Lemons

Picnics are made for being Ali McGraw. 70′s florals get revived with wide-legged, high-waisted trousers. Pair them with a crochet crop top or opt for a flow-y dress, either way let “easy breezy” be your mantra for dinner outdoors dressing. Finish the look off with flea market accessories and round-lens shades. Dressing like a picnic blanket is also acceptable (right).

What else…

Source: Free People Blog

Fill your day with The Ultimate frisbee face-off, sun-soaking, and laying nonchalantly in the grass like this. Note: these activities should all be preformed while wearing big floppy sun hats.

Picnic Playlist

Source: The Guardian

Evoke that round’ the bonfire ambiance with a banjo-filled picnic playlist. Bring along your friends Alex Ebert and co. for sunshine filled-woodland jams. The boys from Fleet Foxes are invited too, and maybe even the mountain dweller himself Justin Vernon. For sunshine indie pop with foot stompin’ hand clappin’ potential we’re jamming to Songza’s Sun-Streaming plalist. For breezy beats drift off to Pacific Coast Highway Drive, and a forest feast wouldn’t be complete without Music for a Woodland Clearing. Finally close off the night with s’mores and the Bonfire Nights mixtape.