Ever since I saw the movie, Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, I have become enamored with the idea of having a picnic for an early evening dinner party.  I imagine myself hosting my friends and family on our lawn, sitting on blankets, leaning on pillows and eating french bread and drinking wine. While there is no strawberry patch to pick fresh fruit from like in the movie, my picnic soiree will be one of casual elegance.  Paper plates and red Solo cups will not do for my evening picnic, instead I will have china and glassware to add sophistication and comfort.  Silverware will be rolled in napkins and tied with twine with a sprig of fresh rosemary tucked under the knot.  Picnic baskets will be placed on the blankets and filled with freshly made salads, such as the Barefoot Contessa’s french potato salad and pasta, pesto and peas, savory parmesan crackers and individually wrapped blueberry pies.  A bucket of fresh hydrangea will sit in the center of each blanket to serve as a “table” arrangement.  And as the sun slowly falls in the evening sky, lanterns will flicker along side the lightening bugs and french music will fill the air.   Truly a picnic that Jane Austin herself would approve of… sigh!

Gwyneth Paltrow in Emma is one of my all time favorite movies.  The costumes are fabulous!

Picnic basket from Etsy.  The basket is tall and comes with a strap to make it easy to carry.

Picnic scene from Jordan Ferney blog

Wooden utensils from Paper and Cup Design…  you can even order personalized ones.

Sugar Bowl photo credit from Selina Lake.

Le Fleur invitation by Rock Paper Scissors… perfect invitation for many occasions.

Bocce Ball set… coming from an Italian family, this was always a fun pastime.

Decorative thermoses are perfect to keep coffee warm when serving dessert outside.

Condiment photo from cannelle-vanille.blogspot.com… a wonderful food blog

Blueberry pie pockets from Pinch my Salt…  I’ve had these and they are delightful!

Hanging lanterns from Martha Stewart… want to make them yourself?  Click here.

Place setting with pink take out box from Martha Stewart.  To buy take out boxes in assorted colors, go to nashvillewraps.com