Life after summer

Summer's treacherous reign of pollen and heat is coming to an end, giving us a small window to take our pleasures before the autumn winds move in. But first, you need: A sleek picnic basket for two ($138.00) with plenty of space for a good wine, a serious roll-up nylon-backed wool blanket ($129.00) to sit on, a pack-and-carry gray-finished mahogany table ($69.95), and a couple of pillows (printed with the work of the extraordinary artist JAW Cooper, of course; $64.73 each), a charcoal lightweight blanket ($39.00) to cuddle under in case the day takes a turn, and a chic sun-and-rain parasol ($34.55).

Petrossian has you covered when it comes to packing that basket (is it still prefab when it's to die for?). Their brunch basket (starting at $350.00) contains caviar, sliced salmon, duck breast prosciutto, a tub of crème fraîche, a bag of mini blinis and baguette toasts, a jar of wildflower honey, a jar of sweet chestnut jam, cinnamon raisin bread, cranberry ginger cake, coffee and tea. Their French country feast ($195.00) brings you a selection of pâtés, country terrines and rillettes, baguette toasts, onion jam, fig and balsamic confit, cornichons and macarons to top it off. The picnic box (starting at $305.00) offers caviar, pork saucisson, sardine rillettes, a meze made from smoked cod roe and crème fraîche, olive tapenade, mini blinis, baguette toasts and a chocolate truffles sampler.

To complete your basket, you'll need to pick up a proper caviar server ($110), an elegant vintage caviar serving spoon ($24.00), and a set of bone-handle cheese spreaders ($31.50). Feel free to take this time to upgrade the utensils that come with your picnic basket to a rustic bone-handle set ($39.00 each) that matches the spreaders -- and while you're at it, upgrade the bottle opener ($23.00) too. While we're talking about drinks -- two neat stake glass holders ($10.95) will make you feel like a genius, and don't forget the wine bottle chiller ($10.61). A decently-sized thermos ($26.99) will cover you if you plan on tea or coffee.

The picnic basket includes napkins, but consider packing some refreshing scented wipes ($4.00). Pro tip: pack two garbage bags -- one for picking up after the picnic is over, and one to hold all the dirty dishes and cutlery without making a mess inside your basket.

You are so ready.

Image credit: picnic, Trey Ratcliff https://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/2570...