Foodie Friday: Picnic Provisions & Recipes

{ Via: The Telegraph }

Sorry that my posts have been spotty again this week. Life!  On to Foodie Friday......Wouldn't we all love a gourmet picnic hamper hand delivered by a butler? At one time, Fortum & Mason in London did just that. I hope that they still offer this royal service.  I love a fancy picnic. And isn't a picnic a romantic date idea?Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors and enjoy a stylish spread. Here's inspiration.

Summer Squash Sandwich With Spicy Sun-Dried Tomato & Herbed Ricotta
This sammi had me at avocado. A lovely list of fresh ingredients are combined together to make the prettiest sandwich. Begin with some really good bread, and enjoy. 
Honestly Yum

Make-Ahead Frozen Fruit Daiquiris
Fresh and refreshing, and oh so smart. Make them ahead, freeze them, and serve. 
They will become slushy as they thaw. 
Who wouldn't want one?
The Yummy Life

 Citrus Salad with Red Onions and Marcona Almonds

Popular in Spain, this simple and colorful salad makes a great picnic side dish. Speaking of a dish....that pretty platter is on sale HERE.
Williams Sonoma

Angers Picnic Basket

Just add wine and cheese, because this basket comes with everything for a picnic for four, including a corkscrew. Love the blue weave, which makes it different. It makes 

a luxe gift.

Amara

Roast Provencal Chicken
Sometimes simple is best. And this recipe is a classic and couldn't be easier. 
Bon Appétit

Burrata and Marinated Cherry Tomato Sandwiches
Oh burrata! It is so creamy and silky and gooey. It's the perfect topping for tomatoes. This sandwich will take you to the Italian countryside. Lake Como anyone?
Saveur

Pesto Potato Salad

I am so bored by the old fashion mustard and mayo potato salad. i venture to guess that most people who serve it, get it pre-made at the market. Try something different this season. I promise that this recipe is anything but boring. Pesto makes everything interesting.
Half Baked Harvest

Strawberry Skillet Cake
made with sour cream instead of milk, this cake is rich, creamy, and custard like. It's also easy to transport because of it's low profile. Yum!
The Seaside Baker

Lavender Basil Lemonade
A classic with a twist. First of all, this lemonade looks lovely. Secondly, I bet it tastes very refreshing. And finally, it might just be a little bit better with a shot of vodka!
Half Baked Harvest

Chicken Pesto Sandwich
Lightened up with Greek yogurt, this hearty sandwich is one of the quickest, most tastiest meals you’ll ever have. 
Dam Delicious

Picnic Accessories
Bring the sunshine to your next picnic with anything from this collection ~ from chic coolers, bright baskets, to games and more ~ these accessories will get the party going.
Sunnylife

BLT Salad
This salad is very much a deconstructed BLT sandwich.  I think it is a genius idea for a Summer salad. The recipe gets five stars from readers at
Williams Sonoma

Kitchen Sink Brownies
The perfect ending to a picnic in the park. This recipe is both sweet and salty. And it begins with a boxed brownie mix. Easy.
Tablespoon

Etta Food & Picnic Tote with Cutting Board
Picnic baskets can be hard to handle. I personally find a tote easier to transport. This one is just great. It comes to us at a price point that makes it a great wedding gift. 
Food52

Spiced Picnic Chicken
Oprah might know something about fried chicken. She once employed Chicago chef Art Smith, and he was famous for his fried chicken recipe. This one is picnic perfect.
Oprah.com

Beautiful Ideas
One of my favorite tabletop and furnishings websites has put together a blog post that features the most stylish serverware, linens, and recipes for outdoor entertaining. Do click the link below for inspiration.
Alchemy Fine Home

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Alfresco Accessories 

Painterly Paper For Your Wedding Day

{ Via: Momental Designs }

I ran across the most beautiful wedding invitation somewhere on the Internet, and followed the link. It took me to Momental Designs. They create unique and custom watercolor wedding stationery featuring the artwork of Kristy Rice. Each invitation, menu, table number, etc. is hand painted. I am still in awe of her work.  Kristy also has a presence and shop on Etsy, called Paint Crush Paper.   Scroll down to see more of her work,  and that of many other talented artisans.

   

Dusty Blue Watercolor Invitation

Digital Download

Just imagine the oohs and aahs you will receive when guests learn that you printed this invitation yourself! It is easy to do, and very economical. Perfect for DIY brides.

Plum Sugar Paperie

Water Color Digital Download

For those on a tight wedding budget, this is a stylish way to go. You actually print this pretty paper yourself. You edit the wording exactly as you want it online, and print it up. The shop supplies the water color artwork.

Fabled Weddings

Hand Painted Watercolor Wedding Suite

Such gorgeous work! Each style is a work of art.

Karli Strohshein Art

Leafy Green hand Painted Set

Modern and a wee bit tropical. The calligraphy is really spectacular. 

Brush and Nib Studio

Bespoke Watercolor Crest

What a lovely thought. Share your new initials with your guests. These pretty papers will be a keepsake forever.

Blush and Bloom Art

Bold & Beautiful
Just a sample of the lovely work done by this studio. Wouldn't this be a terrific color statement for a 
Fall wedding?
Hoopla Designs

Hand Painted Invitations
Chic, colorful and modern. This suite will let your color palette be known  as soon as the envelope is opened.  Available at an affordable
 price point at 
Design Parlour

Tropical Coral Watercolors
Oh how fun! This style is for colorful couples. Shannon will custom create the stationery of your dreams. 
Shannon Kirsten

Hand Painted Calligraphy Program
I have fallen in love with the simple and delicate designs of Claire Carstens. Both her work and pretty papers are very lovely.
Sugared Fig Paperie

Lemon & Tile Watercolor
Destination wedding? This suite is perfect. Hand painted tile work and lemons give your guests a taste of Italy.
Paint Crush Paper

Custom Illustrated Wedding Map

What a beautiful gift to have waiting for your guests in their hotel room. It's both 
pretty and practical.
BP Calligraphy



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Wedding Wednesday: Clearly Chic Details

Saturdays At Shop This: Memorial Day Weekend

{ Via: Serena and Lily }

Our weather in Chicago looks spotty for the weekend. But if you are cooking out, by all means, use flowers on your outdoor table. Isn't that lovely?  All of Serena & Lily's outdoor furnishings are coastal chic and perfect for an upscale relaxed lifestyle. By the way, they are having a 20% off sitewide sale this weekend.  I invite you to check out these interesting links before your weekend fun begins. 

Memorial Day Sales: I have updated the blog with the latest and greatest. The new Codes are marked "New"

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Isn't this the cutest Straw tote. So chic and colorful! Now on sale for less than $100.

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The 15 Best-Kept Costco Secrets You Didn't Know About. Costco shoppers will love these tips at Food52.

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Chic Checks: A fab find in the Shopbop

BIG sale. Check it out!

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I have often mentioned the dangers of chemical sunscreens. But of course I do use Mineral Sunscreen. You can save 20% on my favorite Juice Beauty Sport Sunscreen at the Dermstore Sale. Use Code: SUMMER. Hit the link and type in search box
"Juice Beauty Sunscreen."
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This Transparent Trench Coat by Dorothee Schumacher is on sale and so clearly chic!
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10 Secrets to Decorating Like a Parisian. Ooh la la these spaces are stylish.
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You can't have too many white shirts, can you? This J.Crew Band Collar Popover Cotton Poplin Tunic Top, is really good and now on sale. Shop it at Nordstrom or JCrew.
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My favorite bar cart is now on sale at Anthropologie, along with all home furnishings and decor. Love the lucite.

I hope that your holiday weekend is filled with good food, friends, and memories of a fallen hero in your life.

XOXOX
Deb
Shop This

P. S. In honor of my own Marine Veteran, "Mr. Shop This,"
I will not be working on Memorial Day. So I'll be back Wednesday with some
more fun links.

Foodie Friday: Recipes For Cooking Out

{ Via Williams Sonoma }

And this is what I will be doing all weekend if Mother Nature cooperates. Food just tastes better if cooked outdoors, don't you think? Here's inspiration for your Memorial Day and beyond entertaining. 

HERE: 14 Reasons To Fire Up The Grill

Grilled Watermelon and Peach Margarita
Grilling fruit brings out the natural sugars, and adds a smokiness to the fruit. Sweet and smoky always is a delicious duo when it 
comes to cocktails.
The Feed Feed

Grilled Brie With Blackberry Basil 
Smash Salsa
Perhaps the perfect Summer appetizer. I will definitely make this for the deck crew. 
Half Baked Harvest

Tropical Jerk Grilled Chicken With Charred Mango Salsa Verde
"Marinated with tropical island flavors, garlic, fresh thyme, a touch of cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and plenty of fresh lime. Serve with a charred lemon and mango salsa verde."
Half Baked Harvest

Diner-Style Strawberry Shortcake

No one has time to create a strawberry shortcake on the spot. So make this all American cake ahead of time. Looks so good and summery!

Food Network

Grilled Romain Salad With Anchovy Mustard Vinaigrette
Sounds like a grilled caesar to me. I can just imagine plating a steak on top of this!
Williams Sonoma Taste

Grilled Swordfish With Fennel Olive Relish

This recipe had me at "Rosé!" The wine in the sauce and the salad dressing is the secret ingredient in chef Jennifer Carroll’s delicious grilled swordfish. It looks so fresh, doesn't it?

Food & Wine

Grilled Clambake With Miso Lime Butter 

This recipe features all of the best components of a classic clambake like shrimp, corn, potatoes. What makes it different is that everything is grilled instead of steamed.  That tasty butter puts the recipe over the top. 
Epicurious

Grilled Fish Tacos With Mango Salsa
Nothing is better than a freshly made salsa. It's the only kind that I make. Top some lightly grilled flaky fish with it, and it's paradise. This recipe is easy, colorful, 
and a real crowd pleaser.
Joyful Healthy Eats

Bacon Wrapped Grilled Brussels Sprouts
This may be my favorite recipe of the roundup.  "A quick and simple balsamic marinade makes these the best grilled brussels
sprouts ever!"
Gimme Some Grilling

Spicy Mango Barbecue Ribs
My kind of recipe. Sweet and Spicy.  First you do a rub, and both the rub and the sauce are homemade.....the only way to go in my book.  And did you know that Mangos can bring down high blood pressure?
Heather Christo

Key Lime Grilled Chicken Taco Skewers
A quick and easy recipe that's both low carb and gluten free. Only three ingredients!
Whitney Bond

Flank Steak With Chimichurri Sauce
Confession. I have never made flank steak or even eaten it. People rave about it, but the "tenderness thing" keeps me away. This recipe and video just changed all of that. And doesn't chimichurri sauce elevate everything?
Grandbaby Cakes

Grilled Beef Banh Mi
Have you ever had a Banh Mi? I have not. But as I look at the ingredient list, there is no way that the flavor profile isn't delicious. Think siracha mayo, soy sauce, mirin and more. A good choice if you are having a crowd 
over for lunch. 
Bakers Royale

Grilled Pineapple with Cinnamon
 Honey Drizzle
What a simple and perfect dessert for a cook out. Your guests will love watching you create something on the spot.

Wine & Glue

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