An Autumn Picnic
Autumn has a natural beauty that lends itself to the most picturesque of settings, not least of which is an autumnal picnic. With naturally occurring decorations - stacks of fallen leaves, towering tree trunks and canopies of rich greenery - the glory of wrapping up to enjoy such a pretty setting has me questioning why I don't do this more often.
But this autumn I was eager to take advantage of all the season offers. And thankfully I wasn't alone in my pursuit. A little over a year ago I met Louise of Irish online magazine, Mint Mag and instantly we clicked. Those who know Louise and Mint Mag will be very familiar with her exquisite style and her inherent creative flare.
With a shared love for creativity, interiors and food, I was delighted when our career paths crossed again. A mutual fascination with the beauty of autumn and a love of styling (not to mention a serious appreciation for good food) led to us to styling this autumnal picnic gathering for friends.
A quiet park corner on a crisp October afternoon offered the perfect scenic backdrop. The picnic line up included some fresh ciabatta rolls with chorizo, kale and aioli, a selection of cheeses served with delicious fresh figs, nuts and grapes.
A selection of crackers and accompaniments were served alongside the soft cheeses and cold meats in a rustic antipasti fashion, with a decadent Irish twist - Connemara seaweed shortbread by The Galway Food Co. Topped off with some goats cheese and caramelised onion tartlets and of course a sweet treat - a blackberry, almond and honey cake.
Our picnic was complete with the addition of a few key pieces – large rugs, fur throws, soft cushion seating, bunches of eucalyptus and earthy foliage to complete what was the perfect autumn afternoon.