“And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall.” ~ Oscar Wilde

The idea for styling a picnic post has been in the back of my mind for a while now. Not long ago, I was in a local consignment shop and spotted an antique picnic basket. It was so charming and I pictured in my mind how it would look filled with flowers and delicious food for a picnic. Of course, I bought it, but got busy and didn’t think about it for a while.

One afternoon, after speaking to my friend, Pandora de Balthazar the whole idea for this post came together! I asked about using some of her antique linens for a photo shoot with the picnic basket and everything fell into place. It was originally supposed to be included in Blondie, The Holiday Issue, but I decided it didn’t seem “holidayish” enough. October is a month that seems to be a bridge between summer and the start of the holiday season and I’ve thought that maybe I should do a separate October issue for Blondie…but unfortunately, I don’t have 36 hour days!

Pandora sent the most beautiful piece of handwoven fabric that was exactly what I had in mind for a picnic blanket. She also sent hand embroidered napkins (pictured above). Lyn Moser of Special Arrangements created a beautiful flower arrangement that complimented everything. I added a bottle of Rose, some fabulous cheeses and a plate of cookies and tarts. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

There is a vacant lot down the street from our home that I love to use for photo shoots. I’ve always been fascinated by this lot because of the steps and have wondered many times what the house that used to be here was like. I’ve been told that there was a fire many years ago and it burned to the ground. In the spring, there are wildflowers and daffodils blooming everywhere. I shot this post in the same lot last spring.

My glimmering silk dress is by Ulla Johnson. Ulla Johnson designs have been favorites of mine for quite some time. They are exquisitely designed and very feminine with a definite bohemian vibe. I love the way I feel when wearing Ulla Johnson.

The rich color palette of this dress, including flecks of gold and autumnal colors made it the perfect choice for my picnic.

It’s a new season. A perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful.

“And the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep, and Autumn was awakened.” ~ Raquel Franco

I am so grateful to have been introduced to Pandora de Balthazar by my decorator, Leigh Jones of Leigh Jones Interior Design and I’ve been collecting linens from Pandora for many years now. This collection has become one of my most prized possessions. Surrounding myself and my family with beautiful handmade linens, including pillows, wall hangings and bed covers has created an appreciation for the timeless and artisanal. I feel that hand embroidering, weaving and making lace has become a dying art from another era. So many of these pieces tell a story of the lives of the people who crafted them and I love living with them every day.

My autumnal cheese board was created using fig leaves as a base. I chose several kinds of cheeses, sausages, fresh figs, grapes, dates and pistachios to make a delicious and beautiful display.

Truth told, I love things about every season, and each season, I say it’s my favorite. In late August, I’m not quite ready to release summer, but seasons keep turning and time keeps marching forward. Once October arrives, I always say it’s my favorite season and then so quickly the holidays are upon us and that’s also my favorite season!

You can read more of my interview with Pandora de Balthazar in Blondie, by Crazy Blonde Life.

This was such a fun afternoon for me and it allowed me to create a vision of something that had been in my mind for quite some time! I wish that I had time to do this more often. I would love to have your thoughts on this post…would you like to see more like this? Please leave a comment and let me know!