4 picnic-perfect accessories

This is the summer of the picnic. With so many restrictions on events and large gatherings, our social lives have moved almost entirely outdoors. A picnic is an easy alternative to going out that invites a huge amount of creativity. It can entail everything from dance parties and board games to massive takeout meals and platters of home-cooked delights – or it can just mean drinking a six-pack and eating a bag of chips with a friend. 

Maximize your picnic game with these essentials. 

Seagrass Market Basket
This hip, capable woven basket should provide plenty of room for all your goodies and a nice airflow so nothing gets musty.
$54. Civil Alchemy, 8154 Big Bend Blvd., Webster Groves, 314.801.7577, civilalchemy.com

STL Herbs & Aromatics Summer Mist Spray and candle
It’s important to make sure the vibe stays fresh within the picnic zone. STL Herbs & Aromatics Summer Mist spray keeps mosquitos away with the scents of catnip, cedarwood, citronella, peppermint and rosemary. It smells so good we’d use it even if there weren’t mosquitos. The company also makes a citronella candle exclusively for Union Studio.
Spray: $11. Candle: $15. Union Studio, 1605 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, 314.771.5398, stlunionstudio.com

Jawbone Mini Jambox
Jawbone’s Jambox wireless bluetooth speaker series is unimpeachable. They’re durable, they last forever and the Mini is a perfect choice for smaller events, like picnics.
$70. amazon.com

Pendleton Roll-Up Blanket
Keep it 100 (percent comfortable) with this homey, nylon-backed wool blanket. If you don’t feel like investing in a waterproof blanket, a yoga mat will do the trick.
$149. Pendleton, pendlelton.com