Picnicking at Arrington Vineyards

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

JUMPSUIT (SOLD OUT, LOVE THIS ONE & THIS ONE) || DENIM JACKET ||  STRAW HAT || EARRINGS || SANDALS || ROUND RATTAN BAG || STATEMENT RING || WATCH 

PICNIC BASKET || PICNIC BLANKET || WAGON CHEESBOARD || WINE GLASSES 

What is on your summer bucket list this year?!  As a family we have made several...like camping in our backyard, crab hunting at the beach, flying kites, bike riding, and having lots of water balloon fights.  Peter and I also have our own list, which includes at least one picnic date night at Arrington Vineyards!

I've talked about our love for Arrington Vineyards before and of course I have to talk about it again because now is the perfect time to spend a long evening out at the vineyards.  I'll never forget our first date night at Arrington and our first family day date to the vineyards as well...both such wonderful memories!

Arrington is not only perfect for date nights and family outings but it is also perfect for a girls night, a couples hang, etc...whomever you may surround yourself with, time spent at Arrington Vineyards is time well spent.

After sharing my first charcuterie board that I made at home for Easter (you can see that post HERE), I've had an affection for meat and cheese boards.  When packing for a picnic, meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts are ideal.  They are easy to pack, fulfilling, and delicious when paired with wine (and I've got to say, Arrington has some of THE BEST wine)!  I personally love their blackberry wine, which is a sweeter wine!  Don't forget some macaroons...such a sweet way to wrap up your picnic!

Nashville has so much to offer and sometimes it is nice to get off the beaten path and spend time away from all of the hustle and bustle.  I don't know about you all but I'm intentionally trying to slow our family down this summer and really soak up our time together!

Have you been to Arrington Vineyards before?!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by!  See you back here real soon!

My 1st Charcuterie Board

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

STRIPED FLORAL DRESS || STATEMENT EARRINGS || WEDGE SANDALS || WATCH

Easter may have passed but there is ALWAYS a reason to serve a charcuterie board, even it is just for yourself and your family!  Plan ahead for a night in with your family/friends or plan ahead for the next time that you host a get together at your home...a delicious charcuterie board is always a crowd pleaser!  And if I am being honest...I have made mini boards for myself recently too, ha...it is just too good!

Although I've enjoyed many charcuterie boards over the last several years, I have never made one at home until recently.  As I planned for Easter, a charcuterie board was part of my menu.  I knew what I've seen and enjoyed on other boards that I have tried so at least I had a slight idea of where to start.  And as much as I love cheese, I don't know much about specialty cheeses so I had to ask for a little help.  Luckily my friend Madi helped guide me with advice on what cheeses and meats to buy!

I shopped at Whole Foods for all of the yummy goodies to create this beautiful and flavorful charcuterie board.  They had everything that I was looking for and so much more more!  You can build and build and build your charcuterie board but sometimes sticking with some classic flavors and crowd favorites is best.

So let's talk about what all I used to build my 1st charcuterie board...

Cheeses:

Robusto Gouda

Manchego (3 months)

Humboldt Fog

Meats:

Pepperoni

Salami

Prosciutto

Fruit:

Strawberries

Green seedless grapes

Gala Apples

Other goodies:

Marcona Almonds

Fig Jam

Raspberry Jam

Flatbread crackers

Crostini

Peppadews 

Honey

Arranging your charcuterie board is simple and fun...it's like a little piece of artwork!  You start with your cheese and meats and then you place your fruit, peppadews, nuts, etc around them and to fill in the space on your board.  We wrapped our apples with prosciutto as well.  My board wasn't large enough to place the two jams on it so we set it over to the side of the board along with the flatbread crackers and crostini.

For my 1st charcuterie board, I was so pleased with the way it turned out and with all of the flavors...the cheese/meat selections were the perfect pairings and the fruit, jam, peppadews and nuts complimented them so nicely.

I'm sure many of you have made a charcuterie board before!  I'd love to hear from you...leave a comment below and let me know what you include on your board!  Maybe you include a cheese that I didn't think of or something else that is a nice compliment to the meat.

Charcuterie boards are one of my new favorite ways to dine and enjoy others company...I will be making many of these in the future!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a great day!