OUTFIT DETAILS
DRESS : I have had my eye on this dress for a long time, and it did not disappoint. So fun and feminine! (P.S. it is huge, size wayyyy down. I got the XS, and I wish there was an even smaller size). | SANDALS : Tory Burch (a shoe closet staple IMO) | BAG : Loui Vuitton Neverfull (I have the MM size!)
For our very first Valentine’s Day, Ben and I had a picnic in the park, and it was probably my favorite one so far. No hassle getting reservations, no crowded restaurants – just me and the love of my life. It was simple, intimate, and so special. Here are some pics LOL!
I think a picnic is PERFECT for a cute, last-minute Valentine’s Day idea. Here are my tips for planning the perfect picnic!
THE ESSENTIALS
No picnic is complete without a picnic basket. If you like to have picnic’s often, I definitely recommend getting good quality baskets. I love mine! You can find them linked HERE and HERE! They are so cute, and they come with all the dinnerware and utensils. If you’ve never had a picnic, I highly encourage it! They are so fun, thoughtful, easy and super under-rated.
Make it cozy! Nice blankets and some pillows make things comfortable and will make your picnic picture perfect. I got this fun and vibrant quilt and my pillows all from HomeGoods! I am in love with the bright and pretty look they gave.
Putting your drinks in nice bottles and jars will completely elevate your picnic in a super simple way! I got these BOTTLES and this CARAFE from The Container Store, and they are perfect for anything in general (sweet teas, infused waters, lemonades – the sky is the limit).
Lastly, our marble CHEESEBOARD is from William’s Sonoma. It is so chic and will make your fruit and cheese platter look like a masterpiece!
THE FOOD & DRINKS
The key to great picnic food is keeping it simple. My go to foods are things that can be made in advance or thrown together the day of. I’ll share my go-to recipes later on the blog so stay tuned, but here is the overall guideline:
- A yummy sammy:
- My all time favorite sandwich to make for any occasion is the Italian pressed sandwich. It is so easy to make, travels well, can (and should) be made a night in advance, and is absolutely delicious. To top it all off, they are so cute! This is the perfect picnic sandwich, period.
- Carbs, duh:
- Pasta salad. What’s a picnic without pasta salad??? This Pesto Pasta Salad takes minutes to throw together, uses only 4 ingredients, and is is sure to wow those who try it.
- Actual salad:
- This summer salad with berries and balsamic glaze is my number 1. It is fresh, colorful, sweet, tangy, and all things yummy.
- A lil’ something fancy:
- Elevate your picnic with a beautiful cheese and fruit board. You can’t go wrong here, just add some cheese, crackers, fruits, and nuts and it WILL be gorgeous! I promise.
- Dessert:
- Let your freak flag fly here, but keep in mind transportation! I personally like cupcakes because they are small and travel easily, especially in this cupcake BOX from Michaels!
- Drinks:
- Now, I am definitely a girl who likes the finer things but… I HATE fru fru wine! LOL I am a Stella Rosa girl all the way! It is my all-time favorite, and now whenever our family gets together everyone knows there needs to be two types of wine, the “good” stuff, and the Stella Rosa for Monica. Hey, a girl knows what she wants!
- Also, making your own drink is a great touch! I will share my recipe for my amazing and refreshing sparkling rose and strawberry lemonade soon! It can also be made into a fruity cocktail – my fave.
I hope you found my tips helpful, and that this post inspires you to do something special this Valentine’s Day with your SO’s and loved ones! This idea is sure to be remembered for years to come. Let me how you guys end up celebrating!
XOXO,
Monica
