FORT WORTH, Texas — Give your next picnic a dash of panache with dining essentials that are anything but basic.
From contemporary flatware and melamine dishware to stylish wine totes, we've spotted everything you'll need to ensure that you and your loved ones have a fabulous day outdoors.
Picnic in a bag
For a true dining experience, Table in a Bag features a collapsible hardwood table that unrolls in seconds. Stow it in its red cotton bag for easy transport. $39.95, Crate and Barrel.
Every picnic has to have a blanket. World Market's 100 percent cotton striped multicolored blanket has a cloth handle for easy carrying and measures 60 inches by 60 inches. $19.99, at World Market (there's one in Cincinnati, Louisville and Paducah).
The ”Ava“ picnic basket (shown on the table) is a stylish yet functional option for toting your picnic treats. The dual-flap top opening makes reaching inside easy, and the rear open slot perfectly fits a wine bottle. $14.99, at World Market. Or go for a semicircular basket (at bottom right of photo). It holds utensils, plates and wine glasses for two. Salt and pepper shakers and wine opener included. At 17 inches deep and 14 inches wide, there's plenty of room for food. $70, at Pier 1 Imports.
Dig in
For eating tools, we found simple wooden utensils, which come 10 per pack. Spoons, forks and knives sold separately. $2 per pack, at Pier 1 Imports. Light My Fire's spoon-fork-knife combos are heat-resistant and dishwasher-safe. Available in yellow, red, blue and green. $2.50 each.
Functionally fab
Protect your food from bugs (and hungry neighbors) with beautifully crafted food domes. Handmade by Balinese craftsmen, the bamboo domes traditionally were used to keep food such as cakes and breads. $5.99 for small domes; $7.99 for medium domes; large sizes also available. All at World Market.
Give your food a lil' dash with some perky shaker sets made for travel. The Recycled Melamine Salt and Pepper Shaker Set features a multicolored confetti look and is made of scraps from the production of other melamine products. Dishwasher-safe. $5.95, Crate and Barrel.
Wine and dine
For a more luxurious look, check out Toss Designs' brown patent croc wine carrier.
The tote easily holds one bottle of wine and also comes with two wine glasses, a corkscrew, a wine bottle stopper and two cloth napkins. The adjustable strap allows you to carry it as a tote or shoulder bag. $69.
Keep your wine from wavering with Steady Stick Wine Bottle and Glass Holders. Simply stick them in the ground and let them do the work. Bottle holder, $11.95; set of two glass holders, $9.95; both from Crate and Barrel.
Bug off
Keep those pesky insects at bay with scented garden torches and incense by Ashleigh & Burwood. Both are scented with rosemary, citronella and thyme. The torch burns for up to 18 hours and the incense pack includes 12 sticks. $15 each.
Don't forget the bug spray. Avon's Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus combines insect repellent and sunscreen in one product. $12 for 4 ounces, at www.avon.com. We also like Repel's plant-based insect repellent, made from oil of lemon eucalyptus. It lasts up to six hours. $9.95 for 4 ounces.
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