Amy Rowley Lifestyle - Picnic Party Inspiration

I think it's safe to say that this week the weather is finally starting to show the start of summer and with the Bank Holiday on the horizon, what better way to kick start the weekend than with the perfect picnic party. There are so many cute, creative and pretty picnic accessories in the shops at the moment, so I thought i would put together a little picnic inspiration post to kick start your summer plans.

Retro Party Light - Some may think twinkly sparkly lights may be a bit much, but me? I love it! The more decorative and fun you can be with a picnic, the better, I say. This party light is the best way to go one step further. If you're celebrating your birthday in the summer months, use a picnic party as the perfect way to celebrate. Remember don't forget the prosecco. 

Pineapple baskets - The perfect storage for crisps, cutlery, napkins or even a basket of fruit if you're on a health kick. If you have to use baskets to display your food, pineapple shaped baskets are the only option, surely?

Watermelon Pinata - How cute is this pinata?! Spice your picnic up with a bit of fun by having some games to play. This watermelon shaped pinata is the ideal game to add to your list. Fill it with your favourite sweets and once everybody has had a few to drink, this will become even more interesting.

Cactus Shot Glasses - Let's get the party started with shots in the coolest cactus shot glasses. A cute alternative, from the normal shot glass.  Paperchase are killing it with the summer accessories at the moment, perfect for picnics, beach trips and holidays so I would check their selection out.

Pineapple Tumbler - Your going to need plastic tumblers for a picnic, so why not have these pineapple themed glasses. 

Picnic Napkins - Perfect for all those pesky crumbs and if you have to supply napkins, why not do it in style? Monki have a great range of napkins and cute pinic accessories, so their website is definitely worth a little nosey. 

Cactus Ice Tray - For those hot summer afternoons you're going to need endless amounts of ice for your Pimms and soft drinks. This cactus ice tray is a cute solution to a picnic essential.

Pineapple Fairy Lights - For when the sun starts to fade but you want your party to go into the evening, these fairy lights are perfect. A cute touch and very instagrammable too! 

Picnic Blanket -  What picnic is complete without a gorgeous printed blanket. Plus once the weather starts to cool down you can use it to get warm. 

Picnic Basket - For the ultimate picnic planner, this basket screams typical English summer. If you plan on throwing a couple of picnics throughout the summer, this basket is for you. 

Flamingo Bunting - One last cute touch is pretty bunting. This flamingo design is super summery and a simple decoration that just makes everything look great in photos.

So there you have a list of the cutest picnic 'essentials' ready for the summer party season. What do you think? Has this made you want to plan a picnic party for you and your friends?

I hope you've enjoyed this little blog post, something slightly different, but adorable all the same. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

Autumnal Acorn Biscuits

Now i know what your thinking...its not autumnal enough to be making acorn biscuits, the sun is still shining strong and don't even get me started on the heat. However i disagree, you can never be too autumnal and at the ready for the upcoming months and these are the perfect way to ease you in gently. These little biscuits are so super simple to make and good fun too. Myself and my friend Emily (her blog is here) decided it was time to once again get our baking heads on and create some autumnal treats. With the old favourite the bake off currently flooding our TV screens every Wednesday, i feel even more creative then usual. Who else sits there and once its finished gets that itch to bake!? So lets get into the recipe. 

Ingredients you will need :

150g Plain flour (extra for dusting)

50g Caster sugar

100g softened butter

A few drops of vanilla essence

1 Egg

For decoration:

Milk Chocolate

White Chocolate

chocolate sprinkles

Equipment you will Need

Acorn cookie cutter (link here)

Rolling pin

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees, and line a baking tray with grease proof paper.

2. Take the caster sugar and flour and mix together, then add the butter and use your hands to mix it in and form a crumbly mixture. 

3. Lightly beat the egg in a bowl and a few drops of Vanilla essence, then add slowly to your mixture folding it in with a wooden spoon.

4. Once the egg is mixed in you will see a soft dough form, take this and place it on a surface dusted in flour. 

5. Cover your rolling pin in a dusting of flour also and roll out your dough until it is approximately 1 inch think. Take your cookie cutter and gently cut out your acorn shaped biscuits, laying them into the baking tray. You should be able to get about 10 biscuits out of the dough. 

6. Pop in the oven for 10 mins until a little golden and then remove from the oven and leave to cool. 

For the icing:

1. Take your milk chocolate and melt it in a bowl above a hot pan of water on the hob. Take a piping bag and fill it with chocolate, cutting a very small nozzle at the end. 

2. Pipe the chocolate over the entire surface of the biscuit as evenly as possible. Use a spoon to even out and spread if needs be. Repeat this process to all biscuits.

4. Take your chocolate sprinkles and tap on to the top of the acorn wear the little acorn hat would be. Shake off any excess when dry. 

5. For added character, take some melted chocolate, and add a small line to your acorn, to create the image of a re flexion. 

There you have it, cute and yummy acorn shaped biscuits, that any squirrel would be proud of. While engrossed in the baking madness of today, Emily and i also created some cinnamon apple shaped cupcakes. Head over to her blog for the recipe and some more autumnal baking inspiration. Link here. 

Hope you enjoyed reading today's post and have a go at making some yourself.

Thanks for reading my lovelies x

Five great picnic spots in and around essex

So i keep hearing through the grape vine that this weekend and into next week, we are supposed to be having a heat wave. A Heatwave people!! So what better to spend this weekend, then out in the sun, with heaps load of food, a couple of drinks and a little bit of sun factor to help you along the way. I've decided to tell you about a couple of spots in and around Essex that i think are perfect for an English summer picnic, Pimms and strawberries included. 

1. First picnic spot i have in mind, is Castle Park in Colchester, probably the easiest location as it is smack bang right in the middle of the central town, and perfect for a quick spot of lunch while shopping or a good day out, with ice creams and sunbathing. I live only a 10 minute walk away and sometimes feel like i don't use this advantage enough. They hold great summer events too and when the Wimbledon is on they showcase it on big screens perfect for your lunch break. I feel it can be overlooked but none the less it has some beautiful pretty gardens, play areas for the little ones and a little stand for purchasing ice creams and drinks. 

2. My next pick, is Hatfield forest. I personally have some great childhood memories here and i feel like that place never gets old. It has acres and acres of green's and forest for kids to play in, or if your a big kid like me then you'll be as happy as Larry. You can take all the dogs too and park up in a field so you don't have to be too far from your car. If you like a walk, like i do then this is perfect, or even take your bikes and let off some steam. 

3. Next up is probably my favourite spot and that is Dedham, just on the border of suffolk, but its worth the drive if its a little bit further away, It's a stunning little village with an overload of pubs and cafe's perfect if the picnic food just didn't cover it. The river that runs through it though is definitely the star of the show. You can walk along side it and keep going till you reach the tiny village of Flatford, or you can hire a little boat out and row along the river instead. A perfect day in my opinion with friends, or a partner. The place itself is a stunner so take your camera for some great shots too.  

4. My fourth little gem is quite a new find for me, and its Alton waters, its on the outskirts of Ipswich so i'm cheating a little with this one, but its so close to Essex i think it can count. It is a gorgeous reservoir and I've been there a couple of times now. There is a little cafe for cake and drinks if need be and lots of room surrounding the reservoir to park yourself up for the day. The option for a bike ride is again very much available with bike hire and maps so you don't get yourself lost. Its a 7 mile bike ride round the whole thing but don't sweat it, the pub is just about at the half way point. Perfect for a pick me up on the way round. And if your feeling super daring there is always the option of some water sports.

5. Last but not least i feel like it's only right to end with a classic seaside picnic spot, and for me that's Frinton-on-sea. There is a few beaches in and around the Essex area but this one always wins hands down. Perfect spot for a picnic you can stay up above on the green, or make your way down and risk your sandwiches getting a little bit sandy. The town itself is super cute and has plenty of options for ice cream or that sweet boost you may need, and the beach there has always been my favourite.

So there you have it. My five favourite picnic spots. If like me you have the weekend off and still can't decide on what to do, head to one of these little locations with a picnic basket and ALL the fruit cider you can find...I promise you a great day out. Whatever you choose to do this weekend I hope its a great one and let me know what you get up to, or any other great spots that i may need to check out myself. 

Thanks for reading my lovelies x