| Editor’s note: Tivoli Audio Ambassador, Derrick @thedrk_knight, is a photographer, designer, and purveyor of the finer things in life. Given his innate attention to detail, we caught up with him to help us map out the particulars for the perfect picnic. However, if you’re spending time outdoors, please do so responsibly. Follow local health department rules and the CDC social distancing guidelines. |
If you’re like me, you’ve baked enough bread and watched enough Netflix during quarantine to last a lifetime. Some fresh air, screen-free time, and a change of scenery are a necessity, but with most of our favorite restaurants closed or potentially too risky, it’s time to get a little creative. The good news is you don’t have to travel too far or spend a lot on a night out, so here’s a look at how I designed the perfect picnic date.
First stop, the look. I’ve really been into a 1950’s Mad Men vibe for summer. There’s just something about that era, it seemed like everyone cared about how they looked, and picnics in the park were very popular. I found this shirt on Amazon awhile back and waited for the perfect time to get it. The pants are from J. Crew and a relaxed fit so I’m not uncomfortable sitting on the ground for a period of time. Shoes are classic Nike Killshots. Not too dressy, not too casual, but also not too hot for the summer heat.
Next, the food. We wanted to keep it simple since we would have to transport everything across the park. Just some ice cold Izze’s sparkling juice, homemade wrapped sandwiches, and fruit for a light lunch. The picnic blanket is a soft cotton, perfect to keep the sharp blades of grass from scratching us. The picnic basket and blanket are both from a vintage shop in Indianapolis.
| SHOP THE LOOK | ||
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| PAL BT (in red) | ||
The location. I chose a spot downtown mainly for the view, and this area is directly in the middle of the park which is away from noisy passerby’s. Indianapolis is radically changing its skyline and this gave us an amazing view of some of the new buildings. Also, I mean, look at those clouds.
Finally, the music. I really love the PALBT because of its midcentury design, and the fact that it’s Bluetooth enabled and portable made it a no-brainer to grab. Elika taught me everything I know about photography, so It was nice catching up and listening to one of our favorite songs, “Valerie” by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse. Setting the mood with the right playlist is crucial, and this is the perfect song to do it because it’s upbeat and summer ready.
About the author
Derrick Brownie is a GQ enthusiast, film connoisseur, and consists of 90% Italian food. Follow along with his adventures at thecewl.com/blog