Anyone for tennis?

Today sees the start of the 2010 Wimbledon championships in SW19. Since it's foundation at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club in 1877, Wimbledon has been one of the bastions of the British sensibility for sportsmanship and the obligatory rigorous rules. The all white uniform code for players has been slightly relaxed over time but there is still a strict sense of tradition in everything that they do. The officials' and ball boy/girl uniforms had been redesigned by Ralph Lauren in 2006 to give a distinct Brideshead Revisited feel, as ironically only this US master of preppy can do.

Umpire Uniform (Image from the Daily Mail)

The latest Polo Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Collection is available to buy now, although the blazer is exclusively for the Officials.

So inspired by Wimbledon, here are a few picks for tennis lovers.

Vintage Butterick Tennis Dress Pattern, Hey Chica

Wimbledon Gigi Purse, Bagatelles And Co

Embroidered Tennis Racquet Patch, Fern Curisoities

Child's Tennis Dress, Elise Hooper Designs

David Crystal Lacoste Dress, J. Emporium

Let the games begin!

Indoor Picnicking

With the small burst of sunshine we had today (after days of heavy rain storms), I immediately started dreaming up picnic ideas just the thing to get me in the summer mood. Then, it started raining again and I adapted that idea for an indoor picnic setting. We have a large screened-in porch off the back of the house, that makes you feel as if you are outdoors, among the flowers and the field of tall grass it looks onto.

Ironically, these images were taken on a sunny day and aren't the best, but you get the picture.

Plus, it can be cool and breezy on any searing hot day and bug free. The best of both worlds! Keep dry and in civilised comfort whilst getting all the lovely picnic feel you want. I am not exactly one to rough it.

Here's what I dreamt up...a little early afternoon picnic party. Classic vintage pieces, accented with the ever essential splashes of colourful florals. And the menu? More of a liquid lunch. Kind of like a Mad Men-style "lunch break" for the girls if Joan was in charge.

Vintage Picnic Basket, Morgan and Moss

Green Daisy Tablecloth, Tuwhittuwhoo

Vintage Roly Poly Chrome Glassware, Whimsical Vintage

Vintage Travel Bar, Working Girl Vintage

Picnic Patchwork Pillows, Sweet Jessie

Obviously I would put on a summer frock...

Striped Summer Dress, Dig For Victory

And the menu...

Hendrick's Gin (above) and Fever-Tree Tonic (below)

...and the even more quintessentially British, Pimms Cocktail. No scrimping on the fruit and don't forget the mint!
I told you it would be a liquid lunch. The added bonus is that all the fruit in the Pimms can double as the snack!