Can you hear it? It's the collective anticipation of millions of Canadians waiting, pining and craving for the long weekend! While I'm about to explode into tiny bits of happiness, I have a job to do, Style Sheet readers, before I go. Today, that job is to bring you a delightful Top 5 Friday perfect for a weekend spent outdoors. It's the top 5 outdoor dining accessories. So let's not waste any time, check 'em out!
Disposable Dishware
Clockwise from top left: Wasara dishes, Working Class Studio Leah Dinnerware Collection, Veneerware by Bambu
Paper plates have come a long way when it comes to design and the environment. Wasara is a Japanese disposable dishware line which decomposes back into the earth (so no lingering for eons in a landfill) and is made from 100% tree-free renewable materials. China-based Bambu's Veneerware is made from 100% bamboo. Both are available at Branch Home, an online shopping site from San Francisco specializing in sustainable design (they ship to Canada). Cookware.com has the Working Class Studio line, which comes out of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), like the above Leah Dinnerware Collection. Cute and eco-friendly!
DIY Two-Sided Blanket
We love the blog Design*Sponge around these parts, and when looking for DIY picnic blankets I stumbled upon this really simple version. Take a piece of something water resistant, like oilcloth, outdoor fabric or even a shower curtain and add something cozy like fleece or flannel and you have a double-sided custom blanket. Add weights in the corners to keep it down in windy weather.
Keep Cold Things Cold
Wine On Ice Wine Cooler, $32.99; Condiments On Ice, $29.
A chilled bottle of white or sparkling wine can turn a simple picnic into a romantic date or a giggly girls' night. Keep your wine cool without ensconcing it in ice (so it drips everywhere whenever you pour -- hate that!) with the Wine On Ice Wine Cooler from Bed, Bath and Beyond (you can shop online, too). The "On Ice" brand also brings us Condiments On Ice. Five individual compartments keep dips, spreads, veggies, fruit, etc., cool -- each compartment holds 2 cups. Like with the wine cooler, there's a separate section for ice at the bottom so no dripping!
Cook Hot Things
The Cobb, $179.95
This little, 10lb charcoal BBQ may be one of the most ingenious inventions ever -- actually, it really is because Time named it one of the best inventions of 2001. The Cobb was created in Africa to help people without access to electricity cook in a safer environment than over a fire.The first fuel source was dried corn cobs, which led to its name. The Cobb has now evolved into one of the best and most affordable portable cooking systems you can buy. It's available all over Canada, or you can shop online where it sells for $179.95 with free shipping on orders over $50. It's "a grill, an oven, a barbeque, a roaster, a baker a smoker and more," according to their website -- sounds perfect for picnics, camping, apartments or the cottage, cabin or lake.
Make Fire Even Prettier
Blomus Fuoco Tabletiop Get Firepit, $165.60; P & D Metal Works Cattail Fire Ring, $113.05USD
Once dusk falls and the air is a bit cooler, what's cozier than sitting in front of a fire, roasting marshmallows for s'mores and gazing at the stars? (Can you tell I'm due for a cottage vacation soon?). With a portable fire pit, you can have that feeling in your own backyard, picnic spot or campground. Just be sure to read the rules on lighting fires if you're in a public park, even contained ones. Canadian online store Modern Karibou sells the Blomus line, which include the Fuoco Tabletop Gel Firepit, which is stylish and safe for roasting. Or try a decorative fire ring to add a bit of flair to your fire, like the P & D Metal Works Cattail Fire Ring.
The outdoors are calling, have a wonderful long weekend everyone!
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