10.16.15 28

The Perfect Picnic at the Dallas Arboretum

Alright y’all—I’ve officially crossed Texas off my bucket list!

Monica and I spent last weekend in her hometown, Dallas, and it was definitely a trip for the books. I’ll be sharing more details of our trip over the coming weeks, but thought it would be fun to share pictures of the picnic we set up for lunch last Saturday at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens so if it’s nice where you are this weekend, you have some inspiration.

We opted for a spread that was easily transportable and only required one little cooler for our cheese and fruits. Our tapas-style lunch was a nice break from the heavy Tex Mex we’d be treating ourselves with. As an added bonus, we picked up a marble cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes en route, Monica’s favorite local bakery. It didn’t disappoint!

the perfect picnic dallas arboretum

Backing things up a little bit, the Arboretum was just one stop on our three-day excursion to Dallas, which was the perfect amount of time to really soak up this truly-Texan city. (Though, I cannot wait to make a return trip!)

We left Thursday after work and came back late Sunday night. En route, we flew Virgin America and if you ever have the chance to fly with them, I’d highly recommend it. The music video covering plane policies, the mood lighting, and the overall relaxed vibe of the airline made for an enjoyable flight.

Monica’s sweet parents picked us up from the airport, and we picked up a late dinner at local staple and gourmet food market Eatzi’s.

the perfect picnic dallas arboretum

One thing I love about spending time with the locals while traveling is that you get a truer sense of what it is really like to live in that particular place.

For instance, prior to this trip, I had never been somewhere that everyone had a driveway off an alley! I also had never been to a Hobby Lobby or seen so many cowboy boots on one Friday night.

And after my first real Tex Mex experience, let’s just say there’s no going back! #TexasForever

the perfect picnic dallas arboretum

Leave a Comment

28 Comments

  1. Shann Eva wrote:

    Sounds like you had a great time! The food looks really yummy too. So funny about all the cowboy boots. We just got a Hobby Lobby here, and I’m never leaving. 🙂

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Shann! It was just such a great trip! Definitely going to have to trek out to the Hobby Lobby in Virginia soon! xx

      Published 10.16.15
      Reply
  2. Hi Katie, Thanks for sharing this beautiful day! I am heading out in a couple hours to our local University Medical Center for a walking tour of the public art installations on the property, you have inspired me to take a picnic basket along. It is a beautiful (and rare) non-humid day here in Tampa. Thanks!!

    With a smile, Carlyn 🙂

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Hi Carlyn,

      Thank you so much! Enjoy your non-humid day in Tampa – I love it there :] Hope your picnic works out!

      xx

      Published 10.16.15
      Reply
      • I didn’t get to go, something came up, as it always seems to do – but I am not giving up hope for my picnic. I’m thinking with the weather so nice right now I could surprise my husband on his ‘lawn maintenance route’ by showing up with a picnic basket! I’ve never done anything like that…..

        With a smile, Carlyn :-0

        Published 10.21.15
        Reply
  3. What a perfect picnic! I absolutely love Nothing Bundt Cakes. I haven’t had a cake from there in some time and you have me wanting one so bad!

    All the Best,
    Allison

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thank you! Hope you get one soon :]

      Published 10.16.15
      Reply
  4. Oh my gosh, just look at this beautiful picnic. You are certainly making me hungry right now lol. I can tell you had the most wonderful picnic experience from these photos. Thanks for sharing this with us girl. I love it.

    Kia / KTS
    http://www.houseofkts.com

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Kia! Hope you had a nice weekend :] xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  5. Bree wrote:

    Looks like you guys had such a great trip! I’m drooling over this picnic spread!

    xo Bree
    http://bree-west.com

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks lady! We certainly missed you :] xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  6. Chelsea wrote:

    Well if this isn’t the cutest little picnic ever!! Love it.

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
  7. This picnic looks so pretty! So glad you had fun in Texas…I love Nothing Bundt Cakes! 🙂

    http://roadesque.com
    http://ourruins.com

    Published 10.16.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks lady! I love your home state. xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  8. This makes me want to have a picnic soon!

    Published 10.17.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Hope you can! xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  9. tina wrote:

    I haven’t been on a picnic in a long, long time! This looks like so much fun!!

    Published 10.17.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Tina! xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  10. Chelsea wrote:

    Always wanted to try Nothing Bundt Cakes, and it totally looks like the perfect thing to bring on a picnic!

    Published 10.17.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Ah! Hope you can get one soon :]

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  11. libys11 wrote:

    love this amazing picnic set up! 😀

    http://www.hobbylobby.com/find-savings/weekly-ad

    Published 10.18.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks lady! xx

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  12. what a perfect day!! love this picnic set up. too cute.

    Published 10.19.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks lady! :]

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  13. This looks SO FUN! Delicious touches.

    Xx Taylor
    http://lightscameracatwalk.com

    Published 10.19.15
    Reply
    • Katie wrote:

      Thanks Taylor! We will have to do one at an SBS meet up soon :]

      Published 10.20.15
      Reply
  14. Allie V wrote:

    Where did you get the cut picnic basket suitcase???

    Published 4.24.18
    Reply