Picnic prep: here comes the sun

Is it jumping the gun to go ahead and buy everything you need for an awesome picnic kit just in case the weather suddenly turns warm one Saturday afternoon? You don’t want to be stuck in the line at the store when good sunshine hours are slipping by (or stuck with the discounted Easter plates because all the other picnic gear is sold out). Keep reading for all the pieces you need to make three distinct picnic kits, and be ready to hit the grass at a moment's notice.





Kit one: Playful






























Clockwise, from top left: Toss it all in Urban Outfitters' striped picnic tote and blanket, $20; "Pick your nose" cups from Fred Flare add levity, $12 for 24; recycled melamine salt-and-pepper shakers from Crate and Barrel bring the spice, $6; biodegradable Moscardino sporks from the MoMA Store streamline dining, $24 for 25; recycled-cardboard takeout containers from The Container Store, starting at $1.49 per piece, eliminate the need for plates.




Kit two: East Coast beachy

























From top left: Spread out on C & C Milano's linen blanket, on sale for $123 from $350 at Vivre; pack the rest in Target's banana leaf basket, $24; pile your fried chicken on refined-looking melamine plates from Elsewares, $40 for a set of 4 (in different patterns); go fly a kite from Salvor Kiosk's Hong Kong collection, $32; don't forget the bamboo flatware from 3rLiving, $10.50 for 8 three-piece sets, and the citronella candles from Gracious Home, $8; and funnel your Cape Cods into plastic flasks beforehand for better portability, $5 each at the Container Store.




Kit three: Hot hot heat































From top left: A recycled plastic mat protects you from soggy butt syndrome, $40 on 3rLiving; Crate and Barrel makes a basic, chic rattan basket, $57; plastic Knorks give you one-handed cutting ability, $2 for 4; dole out macaroni salad (or chicken vindaloo) with a bright-orange ladle, $12 at Salvor Kiosk; reusable bamboo plates (from $6) and a steel mesh dome ($29) protect food from all kinds of predators, accidents; and colorful striped cups from Plum Party keep things from going too grown-up (read: boring), $6 for 8.