Over the weekend I heard a depressing statistic...here in Boston and the surrounding area, we've had a grand total of three days of sun in June. Since we don't, in fact, live in Seattle, I think enduring the ongoing deluge deserves some sort of medal, or at least this sassy and summery picnic set from French Bull. The heavy duty insulated backpack is filled with non-breakable service for four, cutting board, salt & pepper shakers, corkscrew, bottle opener and an oversize blanket -- ready for the moment that the sun comes out. Tomorrow?
French Bull Blanket Picnic Set, $150
Image credit: French Bull
Here in New England, the peonies have bloomed, the hydrangeas are leafing up and snapdragons are just around the corner -- perfect timing for a little tutorial from House Beautiful on the eight vases to have at the ready for gorgeous, simple summer arrangements:
Saturday afternoon, with a window of just 90 minutes, my aunts and I hightailed it on the A train down to Chelsea, and Les Toiles du Soleil did not disappoint. Combine the cheery surroundings with the equally cheery and hip store owner Sandrine, and I was instantly smitten. The store was a visual feast -- bolts of fabric hanging on racks and piled up on top of each other, blackboards displaying prices, neat stacks of tables linens, cosmetic bags and fabric-covered notebooks, and galvanized tubs filled with pillows -- I felt instantly transported to a little shop in France (not that I've ever been there, but I have a good imagination, and Sandrine's charming accent helped). But what really struck me was how, well, affordable everything seemed. For $58, you can score a yard of the many classic 72" striped canvas choices, and just $20 more buys you a yard of the water-resistant Sunbrella ones. They also have an in-store seamstress who can make nearly anything you imagine(curtains, table cloths, deck chairs, roller shades, totes, you name it). The thing I've been stuck on since I've left though is the shop's incredible oilcloth (this is not your grandmother's red and white check picnic table covering). For just under $100, I'm going to transform an old IKEA table into an easy-to-clean candy-striped art space. Yum.