The Alfresco Experience

Welcome to my Glow Up Guide to Picnics. I’m including tips that are smart and practical along with a few boujee ideas to add some upscale magic to the experience.

The definition of alfresco is ‘in the open air’, and it’s derived from the Italian language. We most often hear ‘alfresco’ talking about dining outside, but the term tricks me into thinking that taking any mundane ‘inside’ activity outside automatically transforms it into a festive celebration. (With some added Italian flair and swagger, while we’re at it!)

More fun, more taste–

less stress, less waste.

A little extra planning goes a long way, when preparing for an elevated picnic. I’ve brought together my tips and tricks for packing and menu planning so that you can create a fun experience with less excess and waste.

Picnic baskets are pretty, but they are also heavy, scratchy, and awkward to carry. I recommend an insulated back like this. You don’t need to sacrifice on the pretty-factor either! I found this adorable bag at the Nordstrom Rack near me. The insulated bag will have a coating similar to this which is designed to keep the cold in and also be waterproof.

My Picnic ‘Do’ List

Setting your scene with a nice blanket is just the beginning! You can purchase blankets designed for picnics with a waterproof layer beneath. I opted for this pretty blanket from Homesense. Pro-tip, safety pin garbage bags beneath your blanket to prepare for damp grass or sand. The garbage bags may come in handy for packing up trash when the picnic is done.

My Milkshake Trick

Rather than bulky ice packs, bring along a couple of jars of ice water and a pint of vanilla ice cream. Once you’ve enjoyed the water, divide the melty vanilla and top with raspberry cider, whip cream, and berries. Voila!

Supplies:

2 Jars & Straws
Pint Vanilla Ice Cream
1-2 cans Growers
Raspberry Cider
Whipped Cream
Raspberries

When I saw that these Stasher bags are plastic-free & dishwasher safe, I thought I would give them a try! I generally like to store food in glass, but when you’re off to a picnic, you want some lighter-weight options.

Some food and drinks can be frozen ahead to stay cold and thaw in time to enjoy. Use Stashers, to easily fit additional snacks between jars. They are made of Platinum silicone, created from sand (silica) & oxygen with no added fillers, polymers, or by-products. They’re promoted as safe to heat, freeze, and cook with too!