Old Faithful Igloo Cooler

 It's that time of the year when many will be enjoying a late summer lunch at the beach or a tailgate party. If that's the case then it's time to bring out the Igloo Cooler These are perfect for toting food and drink to wherever you want to go.

The Bento boxes in yesterday's post made me think of my sturdy and trusty Igloo Cooler.

I bought mine at Stop & Shop years ago and it has lasted me though countless beach seasons and long trips down to other parts of New Jersey. It's also a great one to take to work regardless of the season.

What I also like is its roominess too. A small hero or large sandwich along with a soda and a bag of chips can fit easily into it.it's also great for bags of veggies and fruit slices too along with dressing. Unfortunately Igloo discontinued this style but there are some other great totes and lunchpails that could easily be subbed in.  There are also hard plastic coolers for  drinks and ice too, if you;re planning on a big tail gate party.

Igloo totes are the perfect carry all to the beach or a tailgate party. Pick up one for the late summer .They're a great addition to any event.

Your PIcnic Hamper Guide

Mother's Day issues in the Spring picnic season.There's nothing like a day out whether at your favorite beach or park. It means fresh air and a change from eating inside. Just make sure you have some of the basics  namely a good hamper.before you hit the great outdoors

One of the most important items to have is some kind of container to haul the food and drinks.Size matters if you like to have a big, meal with sides.then splurge for an English style hamper. These come complete with metal cutlery, wine glasses (!) and pretty cloth  napkins. Salt and pepper shakers and even a bottle opener are included. The price is a good one - forty three dollars on Amazon. The hamper is made from sturdy wicker which will last for years. It's deep enough for a bottle  - or can. of wine along with a whole roast chicken and sides. Family and friends can definitely dine in style with it. A more practical one is from Scuddles which comes in a form of a large backpack. This is weather resistant and can take a few drops and dings.Like other hampers it comes complete with all the accoutrements you need for a successful picnic. It is insulated so you can bring both hot and cold foods and drinks with you. The price is reasonable -only forty-seven dollars on Amazon.One of my favorites is Igloo's Soft Cooler which is no bigger than a lunch box. It is deep and it can hold two sandwiches , two  sandwich full sandwich bags of either fruit or veggies and a sixteen ounce  can of soda. It's perfect for a small picnic and it's easy to tote around.It was around nine dollars from Stop & Shop.

If you're planning on a big picnic that requires a barbecue, then think about what's known as a hard cooler. This is a container made from a sturdy kind of plastic and come in a variety of different sizes. It's perfect for bringing marinated chicken and steaks along with hamburgers and hot dogs.These also keep bowls of refrigerated sides nice and cool too.Keep in mind that the bigger the container the higher the price. Coolers will last  for a long time if you take good care of them.Igloo also makes stainless steel ones that not only guarantee a long life but a completely chill meal. These are used for hauling drinks around and they're usually seen at tailgate parties. You can bring them to the park if you have meats to grill or to the beach , filled with water and seltzer.Another aspect to consider if you want one on wheels or a convenient carry around.If you plan big dos outdoors , then get the one on wheels. If it's  just a few sandwiches and small containers  then think about a carrier  that is half the size and weight.

A picnic doesn't start with food. It starts with the containers that bring the food. There is a wide variety to choose from. Pick one that suits your needs and will last a long time.

Picnic Ready

Now tht the weather is finally getting warmer, it's time to start some picnic prep. You can go for a quaint basket or go Downton Abbey style with china and cutlery. Of course there's the Styrofoam containers and coolers too.There are many choice out there for many picnic styles.

One of the simplest is the old fashioned wicker basketThis is just a simple osier box with handles (think what Dorothy carried in The Wizard Of Oz). This is perfect for just sandwiches and cookies. Some have room for thermoses along with  small bottles and cans. These can go from around $50 to a whopping $200. If you want to get all Lord and Lady Crawley, then check out the super elegant ones atwww.picnicbasket.com. This amazing site has all sorts of them for any kind of outdoor eating. There is one that not only comes with fine china and elegant cutlery, there are also ceramic mugs and a fleecy throw too.Picnic Basket also sells ones that have cheese boards and knives along with salt and pepper shakers.Again, these are perfect for eating in a romantic or elegant setting. For a more practical al fresco meal, think plastic, It's more sturdier and durable than wicker along with being better for less genteel places like the mountains or the beach.You could also think about canvas, which is just as sturdy and waterproof. A canvas picnic basket is perfect for those days at the shore or toting foodstuffs to a boat.

One of the most popular picnic containers is the simple Styrofoam  box.It's' easy to pack sandwiches and drinks i n it. It's the perfect container for mayonnaise rich summer salads too, thanks to having chilled ice packs in the bottom. Another plus is that it's easily cleanable . You can spill anything on it and not worry about it staining (unlike wicker which can be ruined by oil or soda). Another good thing in its favor is the price and availability . Starting prices can be around five or six dollars to ten or fifteen , depending on the size. every grocery and big box store like Target and K-Mart sell them  and you can pick one up easily when you're vacationing at the shore or lake.Of course if you want to spend more there is the Igloo Brand.These are perfect for all sorts of outings from Little League games to a Sunday on the sand. The best part is that most of the Igloos are on wheels  which make them perfect for toting around. As for plates and cups, you can buy paper ones which means just toss after using. However you could also buy reusable plastic or melanine ones that just require a quick wash and rinse when you get home.

The weather is quickly turning nice, beckoning us to enjoy a meal outdoors.. Be picnic ready with a wicker hamper or Styrofoam cooler.Whatever you choose will be perfect for your al fresco meal.