It’s that time of year again where the nights get a bit longer, the days a bit slower and, of course, the best memories are made spending time with friends outside while you share delicious food. Seems like everyone we know is so excited for summer days ahead! We happened to be lucky enough to get a picnic in at golden hour out on our graphic designer Sarah’s sailboat. Oh my word, was it ever stunning. We had the best time together! (We might have also brought the husbands along for an evening sail, too.) On that note, I’ve completely fallen in love with the concept and experience of sailing. There is just something so magical about a sailboat!

We all love a good entertaining spread (elaborate or simplified) over here at MH and we wanted to share our ultimate list for creating a beautiful picnic spread for your near and dear ones. It doesn’t need to be too fussy – just full of delicious ingredients like Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs . As we all love cheese (and, honestly, feel no picnic would be complete without it) our main star at this picnic was the cheese, we used it as our starting point and then built out our charcuterie board with items that pair well with it.which makes for an effortless evening where you can focus on quality time together.  

In today’s post, we compiled a list of our favourite items to pack for a perfect evening with your friends or even just a date with your special someones. Some tips and tricks for keeping everything fresh and chilled, and some items to prep in advance to make your night enjoyable. Don’t forget to pack an extra Boursin cheese as it has a way of disappearing quickly. Yum!!

What to Pack for the Perfect Mid-Summer Picnic
For approx. four people
2 packages of Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs
3-4 packages of charcuterie We love a mix of prosciutto and salami. Consider adding in a spicy one like a spicy capocollo for those friends who like some heat
Grainy mustard
Selection of baguettes, focaccia, and crackers
Smoked almonds
Green olives
Fresh cherry or heirloom tomatoes
Fresh basil
Fruits in season: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
Fresh market vegetables We love fresh, crunchy snap peas.
Lemon sparkling water
Fresh rosemary

Our Favourite Combination
Take a piece of baguette and spread a generous amount of  Boursin Garlic and Fine Herbs over it. Top with a slice of tomato, a fresh basil leaf, and a piece of prosciutto. It’s the perfect balance of fresh and creamy, perfect for those late summer nights.

Tips and Tricks for Keeping Everything Cold
It’s no secret that ice packs really are your best friend when it comes to packing for a picnic. They keep everything chilled nicely and you can often layer them in between food. I like to use smaller ones to tuck in between food items, rather than a large bulky one that sits on the top of everything.

Having mostly everything prepared before going out will make your picnic experience that much easier!  Such as cutting most of the bread ahead of time and washing any vegetables or fruit. I also pack everything in reusable storage containers before we go to ensure we won’t leave any waste behind. Keeping the meat in one container, almonds and olives in another. (These small jars would be perfect!)

What to Pack for Serving
1.) Pack fun dishware to make things extra special. There are tons of options out there now if you don’t feel comfortable packing porcelain. Melamine is back in style and there is a wide variety of styles to suit any taste. You don’t have to worry about breaking them and they’re easy to clean!
2.) Pack pretty wooden cutting boards and fun napkins. Cloth napkins show special attention to detail.
3.) Wooden cutlery is always fun to have around for the summer months and is perfect for picnics. 4.) Don’t forget a sharp knife just in case!
5.) We love a cute drink caddy for carrying sparkling beverages and stack some glasses in.
6.) A fun tray
7.) Blanket and pillows
8.) A collapsible wagon is a handy way to transport this all down to a beach.
9.) A small bluetooth speaker so you can have some tunes to enjoy on the beach, in the park or on a boat.

Monika’s Outfit Details:
White Jean Jacket, Hat, Maternity White T-shirt, Polkadot Pants, Rattan Loafers, Sunglasses, Santa Monica Sweater.