19 July 2010

An Outdoor Picnic...

Getting together with old friends is so much fun.  Especially when you mix in a beautiful day, an outdoor picnic, and awesome food.  The most expensive part was the food.  Everything else came from my house and garage sales.  Don't you love that something this beautiful can be done for so little?

I've wanted to put together a portfolio for event planning for awhile now, so this weekend provided an amazing opportunity.  I even got to hand out some cards to a curious jogger who spotted us. 


We enjoyed a tart made with carmelized onions, tomatoes, and the best crust I've had in a long time. 



We paired it with a pesto barley salad, and an awesome mixture of corn, black beans, and cilantro. 




I will post recipes later this week!  All of our food was made by Sarah, who also designed my blog cards.  She has been my best friend since 5th grade. 





I got these chairs off of craigslist (and from a friend!  Upon arriving to pick them up, I found out it was a gal that had a yard sale I went to earlier this year.  She's a total sweetheart!) and they are actually from a cafe in Paris.  It makes them all the more special. 

Styling the picnic was easy, as I just took a few things from my house, strapped my kitchen table in the back and headed out.  Sarah's mom had some amazing vintage tablecloths that we used as well!



I have to credit my friend Kasey for the amazing Sangria recipe she posted about a few months back.  We made and enjoyed it all day long.  It was great in the heat, and had us giggling pretty fast....



Just spotted a bug in the sangria...nice...we drank it all.





This is my flea market find from a couple weeks ago.  Its beautiful.  No wiring, loose, broken in parts, but plenty of room for candles, and overall posing for pictures.  Its now residing in my bedroom. 



This is Jill.  She moved away in 6th grade, but we've kept in touch over the years.  Her family used to live across the dam from mine, and her dad worked for the dam, so when we wanted to get together, he'd open up and we'd just walk right across instead of driving like 20 extra miles.  So awesome.  She just completed Ironman, and for those of you who don't know what it is, its a triathlon consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26 mile run.  Without a break.  What a rockstar! 





I kind of went overboard on the parasol pictures as you will see later on...but they all turn out so cute!  That parasol is amazing. 



This is Rory.  I only knew her for about a year before she moved at the  beginning of 6th grade, but we had a ton of fun together.  She is so beautiful!  She has an amazingly cute little boy named Baron (love the name) and they live in Calgary, AB.  We found out it's only like 4 hours from Kalispell so....more road trips will be happening in the future!!















Found my straws on Etsy.  Cheap and SO adorable.  There are several different colors to choose from.



Beautiful picture of Sarah.  We have been through so many awesome things together since 5th grade.  I honestly don't think I know a cooler person than her.  I wish we were closer...she's in Portland which isn't an extremely long drive but life always seems to find reasons to not let me go there hehe. 




 I'll remember this weekend forever.  A super fun time with friends who can just pick up right where they left off.  Well, except for the fact that we're not playing with barbies anymore.  We're playing with lace parasols and broken chandeliers...and sangria.   







DIY Day @ ASPTL

34 comments:

ashleigh said...

That's a really lovely outdoor picnic! And it's so nice that you remained friends with all of them for so long! :)Looking forward to those recipes!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

What a beautiful picnic:) Beautiful friends, food, and decorations. It doesn't get much nicer than that:)
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens

Urban Farmgirl said...

Seriously?? This is like the most fabulous thing - ever! Love, love, love your creative talent...I am in awe. Thanks for sharing! But I would love to know how many times that jogger turned around and came past before stopping! ;o)

~mary~

Elise said...

What a beautiful picnic!! So inspiring...
Elise

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Wow! Simply stunning! I wish I had been invited;)!

Your friends are lovely!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Kourtney said...

Ok where is the bug in the sangria?? I have looked and looked and continue to fail. (I've spent far too long thinking about this already).

Lovely party!

Life of Mrs. Peters said...

love those chairs and the chandelier!!
it's always nice having friend that you
can pick up where you left off : )
have a lovely day!

Olive said...

Simply pretty and that tart looks yummy! olive

Samantha2818 said...

Everything looks great - the location, the 'decor', the company, the food, the booze! You all look like you had an amazing time. Glad you enjoyed!
~Sam

Jenny said...

Thanks for letting us tag along! I had a wonderful time. Beautiful food, beautiful guests, beautiful chandelier, amazing tablescape.

If you lived by me I would totally let you plan all my parties, too.

Miccia said...

Hello, .Twig.!!!

Just dropped by for the first time today, and glad I did! What fun your picnic must have been! Fit for a magazine layout, girl!!! I am much older than you, so believe me when I tell you that the friendships you have that can pick up conversations where they left off months, or years ago, will be your closest friends for life. Treasure them and have fun with them. Never neglect them, for life is too short!

Looking forward to seeing you again!

Ms. Bake-it said...

What a great post! Looks like a fun and fabulous picnic! You did a great job setting up the picnic and the photos. I have some longtime friends like that. No matter the time we have been apart, we can easily pick right up. I echo the comment of Miccia above.

~ Tracy

bullie_mama said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful ladies! I think I'm gonna have to make that sangria recipe! YUM!

Mikal said...

What a fabulous day you made!

Wishing you many more,

Mikal

Unknown said...

Your picnic is truly amazing. The setting and all of you girls look like you're straight out of the coolest magazine spread ever. Glad you had so much fun!

Nancy

Syd & Harper said...

I absolutely love your pictures and the stories behind them. I just recently connected with my grade school girlfriends and can honestly say we didn't miss a beat. There is something so pure about friends who knew you when things were more simple, they just seem to know you like no other. So refreshing and fun, thanks for sharing your special day:)

~Elisa

Unknown said...

WOW! I love the chairs...and the table...and the chandi...and, well, EVERYTHING!!! Fabulous job! It's all just really beautiful!!! You are very talented!

Hugs ~

:) T

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

Such a beautiful post! :) I love the gorgeous chandy, and I do loooove some sangria. ;) Such a pretty picnic. I'm visiting from Kimba's DIY Day--my post is from Monday, #64. :)

Sydney said...

most gorgeous picnic I've even seen! Looks like you guys had an amazing day. I can't wait for the recipes :)

Stephanie said...

Lovely picnic and fabulous photos! The sangria looked delicious (minus the bugger!). I am happy to have found your blog and be your newest follower!

Silvia C said...

What an amazing blog you have! It made my day to find it. Fabulous photos.

KimMalk said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time with some old friends. The food looks great--the chandelier-wow-- The vintage linens, such eye candy.

mimi charmante said...

will you be my stylist? please? please please? pretty please???
bravo to you on this!
xx

Lara said...

All your photos are incredible! I am swooning over them!! :) I love those pretty vintage tones in outdoor settings. The chandelier and old table are GORGEOUS and you all look great - the umbrella photos are so adorable!! That tart looks scrumptious and very deliously rustic!! Have a sweet weekend~
Hugs,
Lara

Kelley said...

Wow, your picnic looks so picturesque! I would love to do something like this. :) You're so creative.

kecia deveney said...

how fun and inspiring! it makes me want to bring the girlfriends together and enjoy them over food, fun and beauty. thanks for sharing on flea market friday! btw, i'm in love with that green polka dot glass!

kecia

Sylvia said...

It looks like you all had fun. Love the set up with the chandelier.

Sylvia

Dee@FrenchBleuVintage said...

What a fabulously magical day!!! I still have a few good friends from grade school. We are overdue for our Summer get-together. But I really miss my BFF who moved to Montana 2 years ago and left me in CT. Thank God for email. Very inspirational and a super pretty setting.

Hollie Joy In The Morning said...

wow, wow, wow talented girl!! Loved the pictures and the stories of friendship...almost makes me teary=)! Thanks for sharing!
Hollie

Anonymous said...

So, lovely. I have a soft spot for vintage table cloths and it's so nice to see them put to such pretty use!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful day to share with friends. This is my first visit your blog from Sweet Shot Tuesday.
I will be favorite your esty shop I'm sure. Lovely vintage photos too!

Kristy
http://life-n-reflection.blogspot.com

Sam said...

I love it all, except the sangria. Beautiful shots, beautiful friends!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots and what a FUN picnic, I love the chandelier in the tree.

Jodi Nelson said...

What a great picnic! The chandelier is a fabulous find! Glad to have discovered your photo on Sweet Shot Tuesday.