Picnicking with Laura Ashley
If there is one thing we Brits are good at, it's venturing outside come rain or shine and putting on a spread for the family! We love a good picnic and since we have been enjoying some rather impressive June temperatures, we as a family have been using every opportunity to get outside and let the kids run about in the sunshine!
When I think of hazy, warm saturdays I am always reminded of the various picnics we had as children either in the woods or at the beach, or simply amongst the familiar surroundings of our back garden. But there is always something a little bit special about making an event of what really amounts to a simple lunch shared amongst friends and family. Food has a way of bringing people together and if I know anything to be true as a mother, a satisfied tummy can provide the basis for the most wonderful memories made and shared.
Needless to say, we have been making the most of this beautiful weather and have been enjoying a few picnics of our own lately. The boys always get so excited to eat out doors- even if that picnic comprises of a simple cheese sandwich! There is just a sweet novelty and peace that descends upon the family when we step into the garden and while away some hours simply enjoying each other's company.
This weekend we were fortunate enough to trial some of Laura Ashley's beautiful new range of summer picnic accessories from their Harbour collection. We packed up this beautiful picnic hamper full of goodies and searched for a cosy spot in the garden to spend the afternoon. What I love about this collection is that all the accessories match and compliment each other so beautifully. The vivid harbour print on the hamper, picnic rug and chairs create a uniformity that for me, as main picnic organiser, appeals directly to my love for pretty aesthetics!
Being completely honest, it's not everyday that I venture far from the well tried and tested simplicity of paper plates when we picnic. However, there is something rather chic about brining in ceramic dipping bowls and platters to add a bit of style to the simplest of outdoor meals. These two fish bowls are such fun to display foods on and could easily find a whole host of uses. Not only are they beautifully finished in the most gorgeous shades of blue, but they really add visual interest to an already statement picnic rug setup. The children loved playing with these, particularly when it came to helping arrange and then rearrange the cakes for the umpteenth time!
This set of wicker trunks were such a delight to store all our extra bits and bobs in. We took a few blankets and cushions into the garden with us and when they weren't in use, stored them safely away in these trunks until needed. They were also great to just house those things that are vital to take whenever the children are out of the house: anything from wet wipes to sippy cups would find a happy home tucked away in these without taking over the entire eating area!
Being such a generous size, these trunks would definitely have room for extra beverages and food for those larger gatherings and with that being so, I think they will take up a permanent residency at any of our future picnics!
And what picnic would be complete without stylish and comfortable seating? Seating isn't always at the top of my list when putting on a picnic as mostly we find ourselves perched upon a dune at the beach, or a fallen tree trunk in the woods; either way we tend to make the most of our surroundings at the time. However, having these fold up chairs would actually make life a lot easier for those sporadic trips out, especially with little ones that sometimes just need to be seated somewhere safely. They are just perfect for these types of occasions and i'm going to call it at 20 weeks pregnant- they are more than comfortable to laze in for a long time! I think the portability of them, coupled with how easy it is to relax in them just automatically makes them a new camping/picnicing essential for us. I certainly wouldn't be without ours from now on!
Laura Ashley have some wonderful pieces in their home collections that will definitely allow you to make the most of your summer outside this year. We've felt thoroughly inspired to make picnicking more of a regular thing and pursue new adventures in our gorgeous countryside!
Below are a few more happy shots from our picnic this weekend! Enjoy!
Love,
Disclaimer: This post is written in collaboration with Laura Ashley. Whilst I was kindly gifted the products mentioned, all opinions expressed are representative of Bunty Living.