G’day Lovely People.
Are you well? Hope so.
I’ve been traveling this week and head back to New York tomorrow. Nick and I spent two nights in Amsterdam and Copenhagen, then moved on to the Cannes Lions Festival. I’ve got so much to share from these travels that I’m working on for you.
Yes, there will be 48 Hours In… city guides coming.
What I’ve really been thinking about after Cannes is the creator economy and AI. In a nutshell, brands are going to be putting more ad dollars into individual creators, so maybe DEVOUR’s timing is right.
With AI being a reasoning model, that can churn and produce content, the value is going to be in originality. Hasn’t it always? But it’s going to get very noisy. It will be harder to capture attention. It’s time to get more personalized, to develop communities, to make really useful things, and exercise taste like never before. But most of all, to double down on being human.
So as we mull this all over, Iet’s do something no AI or algorithm can come for: picnic.
It’s that glorious time when we get to dine and lounge outdoors. In my humble opinion, there’s nothing better. Shade, breeze, sun, dappled light, cotton blankets, outdoor lighting, sunglasses, melted ice, baskets, light sweaters, languid bodies, I’m here for it all.
Inspired by À La Carte Summer A to Z Bucket List I decided to do one for picnics. I love Ali’s Substack you should check it out!
Here’s some inspiration for you to get a picnic on the calendar STAT.
A – Aperol Spritz. Seems obvious, but worth stating.
B – Sorry there’s two.
Option 1. Baskets. Big fan. Even if they collect dust for most of the year. Great for getting everything from point a to b. A dash to the grocery or wine store will feel less like work with one slung over your shoulder. Did you know the original Birkin Bag was a Picnic Basket? Baskets are a charming way to showcase produce: sliced bread, chocolates, baked goods. Load them up with flowers, napkins, cutlery. Bespoke beauties like this. This beauty I’ve been coveting. Woven trays. Vintage lot. I could watch this video of Erin from Underwater Weaving on repeat. And this one. I just did an amazing morning session with her and some other great Brooklyn gals. It was so fun learning from her. She has a basket weaving club where kits are delivered with tutorials, and instructions. It would make such a lovely gift.
Option 2. Blankets & Beach Towels. Block-printed, quilted, vintage, anything to lounge on, or wrap around your shoulders if it turns cool.
C – Crudite or my Chopped Salad Pasta in Tupperware. Box of Cannoli. Don’t forget candles if it’s someone’s birthday.
D – Dogs. Definitely bring them. These creatures love company, hugs, crumbs, cheese, and gossiping with friends.
E – A copy of Elizabeth David’s Summer Cooking. The Summer Shack Cookbook by Jasper White, Charcoal by Josiah Citrin, Mallmann on Fire by Francis Mallman are also great cookbooks to get inspiration for warm weather menus.
F – Fruit. Juicy, ripe stone fruit. Cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches.
G – Granita. My recipe for Lemon Granita or Scroppino transported in a cooler mug. Pack glasses, vodka and Prosecco if mixing the latter option.
H – Hangs, Hamocks, Hats. My friend Carrie has the Sunbody Guatemalan Palm Hat and it’s beautiful. I wore hers one night last summer when they were staying over. Totally convinced me to get one. It has a great structure to it.
I – Ice. Bags and bags of it. Put in ice buckets, coolers, glasses, or run over hot skin…
J – Jars of homemade dressing, salsa, dulce de leche, pickles, and condiments.
K – Kiss. Sneak a kiss, while crosslegged.
L – Labne Dip with Sizzled Scallions. I’m obsessed with Alison Romans. Leftovers are made for picnics. Make extra, then the next night you’re off the hook.
M – Morgan Wallen singing Still Going Down, Chasing You, Wasted On You or Whisky Glasses. His songs have saved me some days. Breakup bangers, whiskey, women, vices, and accountability. It’s all there for the hard times and heat.
N – Cotton napkins and kitchen towels. They make the great outdoors feel plush.
O – Opinel Cookscrew & Cheese Knife for outdoor prep to put a spread together. Cheesy bits, meats, olives, bread, ripe tomatoes, balls of burrata… Nothing better than a spread of tasty bits with nothing that actually has been cooked.
P – Prepared and batch cocktails in glass flip-top bottles. Just add mixer. Daiquiri, Palomas, Margaritas, Whisky Sour, Moscow Mule…
Q – Questions. Bring ‘em. Be curious. Listen more than you talk.
R – Rose for days and days.
S – Shrimp Picnic. Nick Curtola, the chef at The Four Horsemen recently traveled and posted all sorts of inspiring food he ate. An impromptu shrimp picnic in Italy was the standout for me. Here’s how: Cook sweet, tender shrimp, pack a dipping sauce. Done. (I’ll feature Nick more and the wonderful cookbook soon. )
T – Ticks. Be careful. If you’re in the North East apparently they are going to be heinous this summer. Check yourself, the kids nooks and crannies, and your four-leg friends.
U – Umbrellas. Striped Italian charmers like the ones you find at Italian hotels around the Amalfi.
V –Views. Pick a spot with a view. A sunset, body of water, beach, backyard…just change your outlook. It’s free. It’s a simple pleasure.
W – Wear white. Linen. Cotton. Silk. Crisp or crumpled.
X – Marks the spot. That’s the meet up point. A hidden trail, between the life chairs at the beach, at the big rock on the hill.
Y – Yes. To everything. Even if you’re feeling shy. What have you got to lose? Accept or put out an invite this summer.
Z – Zzzz’s it’s okay if you drift off and have a nap.
Thank you for allowing me in your inbox. I hope you got to daydream for 5 minutes about being free in nature. Share the feeling with a friend.
COMING UP: Mortadella & Burrata Sandwiches that would be perfect for your picnic. In case you missed it, The Leek & Goat Cheese Quiche would also make an excellent picnic nosh.
Top photo by GraydonHerriott from Simple Pasta. Now would be the perfect time to get my book. It’s divided into menu’s for each season. Summer is particularly easy-going and outdoors.
Big smooch.
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this is so fun!!!
Love all of these