Getting All Lovey-Dovey With A Little Picnic ( PLUS A GIVEAWAY! )

The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

The other day Michael & I grabbed a blanket, the dogs, some snacks, & a chilled bottle of pinto Grigio & headed to the park for a picnic.

Now, if we are being real, this picnic was spur of the moment kinda thing so I didn’t like have time to whip up casual cucumber sandwiches or slice Brie cheese BUTTTT I did have time to grab some healthy, quick packaged snacks.

And the wine, of course duh.

We bundled the dogs up & made sure their leashes were SUPER secure because we had a little scare with T.Boone Pickens ( he got off his leash for 5.5 seconds 3 weeks ago & it sent us into a full blown, hyperventilating panic ).

The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

The Skinny Confidential x NatureBox.

Anyway, I naturally had to dress the part in picnic attire…think a wide brimmed hat, a blue and white tablecloth-ish dress, & white shoes ( bet ya already knew that though ). I feel like Michael could have risen to the occasion a bit more ( I mean, babe come on a white tee & jeans? Really? More effort next time ).

So for the healthy snacks: there’s this rad company called NatureBox that’s kind of like a Skinny Confidential reader’s dream. Basically every month you get a box of healthy, delish snacks free from high fructose corn syrup, trans fat, artificial flavors, colors, & sweeteners. This month I choose the dried pineapple, trail mix, little oatmeal packets (heyyyyy on-the-go breakfast), white truffle popcorn, & dried apple slices ( there’s 100 options to choose from ). The picnic idea came about when my box arrived. I feel like this concept is insane because it’s healthy options right to my door that are QUICK, accessible, & damn good. If you want a free trial, click here ( this includes a selection of the top favorite snacks ). Michael was literally stuffing the white truffle popcorn down his throat like a hog. Lol.

The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

Other picnic details: don’t forget to bring a wine opener because that’s the worst thing ever when you have chilled wine with no opener. Add some music on your iPhone ( Brazilian Lounge for me, duh ). And bring some flowers because it evokes that whole 50’s picnic feel. Lastly, pick a grassy spot that’s private ( a little romance never hurt a flea ).

Fun right? The perfect weekend activity. And for the record, T.Boone didn’t try to pull a fast one.

– lauryn

P.S. TWO lucky winners will each win a free 6-month subscription to NatureBox, TSC Bombshell Body Guide, & The Skinny Confidential Book/signed, sealed & delivered. Click here to pick your 2 favorite snacks & then comment on this post sharing what snack you like. This is open to US and Canada readers only. Must have a US or Canadian shipping address. Contest is open for a week!

* this post is in collaboration with NatureBox, as always ALL my opinions/thoughts are my own.

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The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

The Skinny Confidential goes on a picnic.

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277 replies to “Getting All Lovey-Dovey With A Little Picnic ( PLUS A GIVEAWAY! )”

  1. Love your book!!!

    Favorite snacks would be the dark cocoa almonds and cheese pretzels!! Yumm!! 🙂

  2. I think I have finally found true love, and in snack form to boot.
    I can’t wait to try the Cinnamon Swirl Kettle Kernels – because cinnamon anything, always.
    Pistachio Nut Clusters, are also calling my name!

  3. Hi Lauryn! I’ve been following you for a few years now and love that all of your tips are about BALANCE. As a workaholic who has trouble finding time to cook, I am always looking for healthy snacks so this is very exciting. My favorites from NatureBox are the coffee kettle popcorn and and greek yogurt pretzels! I’ve been living in India for the past year and mostly eating rice, so I am so excited to come back to the U.S. and find my health and fitness balance again!

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    -D

  4. soooo, snacks. YUM. let’s start with the pineapple coconut bars… hello! it’s like a piña colada in a chocolate bar?! SIGN ME UP! secondly I would have to go with the Honey Dijon Pretzels. I am a suuucker for mustard pretzels and finding ones that are not bad for you?! BOOM.

  5. Apple pie oat clusters and dark cocoa almonds look amazing, but honestly it was hard to choose. I had no idea there were so many options. I’m definitely going to take a closer look.

  6. The strawberry lemonade fruit stars and double berry fruit peels. I love these kind of snacks!

  7. This picnic idea is so cute! Put it on my summer bucket list!

    As for NatureBox, the mocha almond bars and dried mango look pretty killer to me!

  8. Everything looks yummy but my top two picks are the dark cocoa almonds and the French vanilla granola!

  9. Mini Belgian waffles and chocolate hazelnut granola for me, please! All of these snacks sound amaaaaaze <3

  10. Love the picnic idea !
    My two favorites snacks will definitely be : Chocolate chia granola & salted caramel pretzel pops 🙂
    Thanks for sharing this website

  11. Your pictures are always so amazing!

    I would choose the cirtus kick almonds and big island pineapple! Both look delicious/unique.

  12. The dried California peaches and strawberry carrot fruit chews look so yummy! I love those fruits fresh, so I bet they’d be just as tasty dried.

  13. My picks would be the Sriracha Roasted Cashews and the Big Island Pineapple… I think I’m going to use your picnic idea this weekend for a fun afternoon date 🙂

  14. Omg they all look amazing!! I love this! The dark cocoa almonds and the california dried peaches would be my picks though, love that there’s no sugar added to them! 🙂 🙂

  15. I loveeeeee the dark cocoa almonds my friend brought them to work, so yummy! Love your blog so much, i tell people about it all the time bc you have such great posts and ideas!
    xo shaye

  16. I would definitely pick chocolate banana chips and probiotic power mix. One for a treat, and one to get me through hunger while rotting in my office all day.

  17. Your dogs are so precious.. do I spy Pixie wearing her own picnic dress?!

    As for the snacks… I personally love the probiotic power mix — its filled with cranberries, dried apples, greek-style yogurt apricots and nuts and seeds. I try to stay away from snacking too much so if I’m going to snack I definitely want it to be something that’s not junk and something that gives me loads of energy! I also really like dried fruit so my second snack would have to be the dried mango.. nomz.

  18. My boss at work has a Nature Box subscription and it’s fantastic! He always brings it down to the shop so me and him can munch away while we’re working on tasty teats. My favs so far are:
    Lemon tea biscuits
    roasted peruvian corn kernels
    honey crunch crisps
    santa fe corn stix

    They are amazing. There was another one that I loved months ago, but I can’t remember the name of it. It was a sweet and super flavourful corn chip type thing. SO yummy.

  19. Oh how I love these boxes!! My 2 favorites are the Sweet Blueberry Almonds and the Double Berry Fruit Peels. I love how the Blueberry Almonds are a twist on the typical chocolate or yogurt covered almonds. The Berry Fruit Peels takes me back to my childhood with fruit roll ups galore, but without the nasty ass additives and high fructose corn syrup!! In reference to T.Boone getting off his leash…we have a little chihuahua named Moose, and sometimes they just have a damn mind of their own!

    -Chelsie

  20. OMG all of the Naturebox treats look AMAZING! The most drool-worthy ones were the chocolate banana chips and the coffee kettle pop corn! 🙂

  21. So I just looked up Nature Box and how have I not heard of it before?!?! Its sooo awesome. I’m definitely a total snack person instead of having meals. I hate that overly full feeling and so I like to just have a little to eat throughout the day. I would totalllly love the dried mango or pineapple, those look amazing and definitely the pistachio power clusters!! Delicioussss.

    xo meg

  22. What a great giveaway! I would pick the whole wheat strawberry figgy bars and the salt & pepper pistachios! Yum 🙂

  23. I think the Greek yogurt pretzels and dark cocoa almonds look great for something sweet after dinner!

  24. This post was so adorable! Going on a picnic is such a fun idea! Im definitely going to having a picnic this week! My favorite snacks are the black and white granola, and asagio cheddar cheese crisps!

  25. Hi Lauryn! Love the content idea. I was on the Naturebox website and all the snacks look so good! I think the two I would pick first would be the pistachio power clusters and the sweet blueberry almonds!
    xxx- Alex

    (I’m from Canada btw :))

  26. My favorite snacks are the blueberry almond bites (yumm!) And the strawberry lemonade fruit stars have always been a winner with my toddler!

  27. I just got NatureBox for my mom for mother’s day and would LOVE my own! The parmesan garlic pop pops and chocolate chia granola would be my top picks!

  28. The teriyaki turkey jerky looks very interesting and I’d have to go with the chocolate banana chips since it’s the world’s greatest combo

  29. Cranberry Medley and Mango Orange Fruit Chews. I don’t get enough fruit in my diet and I think these would make a lovely addition.

    I am crossing my fingers on this giveaway! Thank you for always pushing others to be healthy! 🙂

  30. I’d choose umm… everything!? I can’t believe I didn’t know about this before! I love getting creative with my healthy snacks because I’m always go, go, go, so having mess-free, portable snacks are a must! If I had to choose, I’d go with guacamole bite (how is that real!? Yum!) and chocolate chia granola!

  31. I love the honey Dijon pretzels, and the lemon tea cakes! 🙂 soo good!! Also love your book 😉

  32. These pictures are adorable! I am a big fan of indoor picnics (weird, I know), and really need to start taking them outside. I think you dressed the part perfectly. Love the converse kicks with the pretty stripes! What a fun post.

  33. I love the idea of having a grown-up picnic! The pistachio power clusters would be my first pick of their snacks. The big island pineapple also looks delicious.
    mrsbrockavich48 (at)gmail (dot)com

  34. Those mini Belgian waffles and chocolate banana bites look sooooo good I need sweetness I my life and at least those are good for you

  35. I’ve heard such great things about the honey dijon pretzels and the dark cocoa almonds. I think that’s what I would like to try!

  36. Hiii!!!

    I really should be checking out nature box. Everything looks so good! I’d have to say my favs look to be the strawberry lemonade stars and the sriracha pop pops

  37. I don’t know what “guacamole bites” are but it sounds like something that’s clearly missing from my life!! That paired with the Jalapeño white cheddar popcorn = FIESTA in my mouth. sounds delicious and healthy.

  38. My two favorite snacks would have to be the dried peaches (for a sweet bite) and the pistachio power clusters (to balance the sweetness)!

    ALL snacks look delicious and have my mouth watering as we speak.. or write..

  39. The Praline Pumpkin Seeds sound delish. I think they’d be a great addition to overnight oats. The Sriracha Pop Pops, I mean anything with Sriracha! Yum!!

  40. Love this picnic idea! Will definitely have to do!

    All of the snacks look phenomenal! Hard to just pick two but I would definitely want to try the asiago & cheddar cheese crisps (because I looove cheesy anything!) and the chocolate chia granola! Healthy oats and chia seeds that satisfy my chocolate cravings! YUMMMM! 🙂

  41. I’m loving the garlic plantains & the probiotic power mix!!! Love the picnic, my husband and I always enjoy those!

  42. Almost impossible to pick just TWO… but the toasted sesame sticks have always been a fave, and the apple pie oat clusters sound amazing too!!

  43. I always love the pictures of you and Michael..so cute, and y’all are such a stylish couple! I’ve been hearing a lot about Nature Box, and this is a great excuse to finally go check them out. I think the Jalapeno cashews and Coffee Kettle Popcorn sound delicious!

  44. I LOVE popcorn and never want it to be sweet, but Coffee Kettle Popcorn sounds ahmazing as well as the guacamole bites, on the go guac sounds like heaven!!
    <3

  45. Love all you do to help everyone, love your posts and would love to win this. My picks would be Greek Yogurt Pretzels and Mini Belgian Waffles. Sounds so yummy!

  46. I’d love to try this, I have heard good things about NatureBox! I think the Sriracha roasted cashews and chocolate chia granola look delicious!

  47. That sounds like such a fun date night! My BF and I love to do picnics, but you made it so simple with Nature Box. I would go with the probiotic power mix for me, and south pacific plantains for him!

  48. I would love to have a romantic picnic with my bf! The strawberry lemonade fruit starts and mini Belgium waffles look amazing. Yum.

  49. Love that dress.
    I’m obsessed with almonds and those blueberry almonds look amazing. Also the Sriracha pop pops OMG. Everything looks amazing!

  50. Wow – love this idea and can’t wait to replicate! All the snacks look delish, but I”m really diggin the chocolate banana chips and the french vanilla almond granola

    🙂

  51. Love this – I’m always on the lookout for snacks to switch it up that aren’t full of nasty. And the picnic was to die cute. I’d have to pick the dried fruit and the blueberry almonds. Yummy!

  52. The dark cocoa almonds (yum yum) and chocolate chia granola (divine in my morning Greek yogurt) would be my top 2 picks! But seriously, how can you pick just two 😉

  53. Everything looks so yummy and I’ve already spent so long thinking about them all… If I had to choose two, I’d choose the dark cocoa almonds and the Dijon mustard pretzels!! Thanks so much for this amazing giveaway!

  54. I know this seems counter intuitive but if your pup ever gets off leash again and you’re afraid of him running off, try running in the opposite direction while calling out to him. Chances are he’ll see you running the opposite direction and want to chase you to play! I’ve seen this work 99% of the time (my fiance trains dogs)! And then once he comes to you, PRAISE THE EVER LIVING LIFE OUT OF HIM! I hate seeing people who’s dogs get off leash and then once the dog finally comes back to them, they scold the dog for getting away. Dogs associate the last action with the type of reward they get. So running back to you and getting scolded is what they’ll remember which makes them less likely to come back the second time since they had a negative experience with coming back. So to have repeat success of recall, praise for them coming to you! OK. sorry we’re dog nuts in our household and just like to share the knowledge about an easy trick to recall your pet!

    All the best!
    Cynthia
    http://www.darlingdownsouth.com

    1. DEF going to use this advice myself. My dog has pulled a quick one on me and scared the living bajeeeeezus out of me. Thanks for the tip!

  55. Holy yummmm!! Everything looks amazing that it is hard to make a decision! If I had to make choice I would LOVE to try the chocolate banana chips and the blueberry almond bites! Nature Box is a fabulous idea!

  56. I would definitely go for the PB&J Granola & Whole Wheat Blueberry Figgy Bars. Oh my goodness, how did I not know about this site? YUM.

  57. Love a good ol’ fashion picnic with a modern twist. You nailed it 🙂
    #1. Strawberry Greek Yogurt Pretzels – salty & sweet, totally my thing.
    #2. Cranberry Medley – because it’s a mouthful of GOODNESS!

    LOVE your blog! xo Julia

  58. Would love to try the honey Dijon pretzels and the big island pineapple… And almost everything else, too! It all looks so good!

  59. I love this idea. It’s so cute and easy to do.

    The snacks look so yummy. My favs are the dark cocoa almonds and jalapeno white cheddar popcorn.

  60. Probiotics are such great gift to this Earth, so recently I have been trying to incorporate more greek yogurt into my daily routine!! And what is better to compliment yogurt than… GRANOLA! I really love the concept of Nature Box’s chocolate quinoa and banana bread flavors! xo

  61. Oooh love how you go all out for your picnic date 😉 Whole Wheat Raspberry Figgy bars & Sweet Blueberry Almonds look like my fave! (Sweet tooth much? haha)

  62. So many yummy treats! My picks would have to be praline pumpkin seeds and mini Belgian waffles!! Delicious!

  63. Wow !!! The Coffee Kettle Popcorn and the Mocha Almond Bars look soooooooo gooooooooood!!! Almost like a guilty pleasure, but in a healthy kind of way !!! Yummy!!!!!

  64. The asiago and cheddar cheese crips look Amazing (for when I’m craving something salty and the Big island pineapple looks delish (for when I’m craving something sweet!).

    Your puppies make me want to adopt a Chihuahua!

  65. All of the snacks look sooo good. My 2 faves are the STRAWBERRY LEMONADE FRUIT STARS and the DARK COCOA ALMONDS.

  66. my top two picks would have to be the jalapeno white cheddar popcorn and strawberry greek yogurt covered pretzels but everything looks soo good!!

  67. The black and white granola and the mini Belgian waffles look delicious! Love breakfast in miniature form!

  68. Probiotic Power Mix and I will definitely holler at those lil’ mini Belgian waffles. Love the sleep bun locks you are rocking here!

  69. All about spice and dark chocolate so my two picks would be the dark chocolate berry trail mix and the a jalapeño white cheddar popcorn! Both look so delish!!

  70. Yum!!! I would die for the blueberry almond clusters and the jalapeño cashews… Mmm!! I love savory snacks and I’ve always wanted to try NatureBox!

  71. Nature Box looks awesome! So convenient and fun to get a delivery of healthy snacks each month. My husband and I just jumped back on the healthy eating wagon and this would be so perfect! The two snacks we’d most like to try are Dark Cocoa Nom Noms (me) and Big Island Pineapple (Hubs)!

  72. Ah I hope I win! All of these treats look sooo delish:) I want to try the jalapeño popcorn and the honey macadamia pretzel and literally everything else on their site! Xo

  73. Omg there’s so many delicious options to choose from. I narrowed it to: dark cocoa almonds and mango (the Asiago cheese chips were next)

  74. i love to try new things healthy . Those lemon biscuits look amazeballs and so do strawberry lemonade fruit stars

  75. Jalapeño white cheddar popcorn! YUM! I love popcorn! Oh and some dried pineapple for my sweet tooth!

  76. All of the snacks sound yummy! I really want to try the sriracha or sea salt pop pops, or the guacamole bites! The roasted peruvian corn kernels sound really good, too!

  77. The new waffle bites look totally awesome! And i love chocolate and i love Quinoa so the chocolate quinoa granola is a definite YES!

  78. Omg….yes…to all of them! Lol…mine would be the mini Belgian waffles, because who doesn’t love waffle cones in the summer time?? Also, I think the honey mac nut pretzel pops…honey=delicious…mac nuts=hells yes…..and pretzel pops=well now I’m hungry….when all the powers of the snacks combine…..uh oh!

  79. The picnic looks so fun! I love all the options Nature Box has for snacks – my favorites are the Mocha Almond Bars and the Guacamole Bites!

  80. Definitely the asiago and cheddar cheese crisps & jalapeño white cheddar popcorn – I have a serious salt tooth so I would have to force myself to eat anything with fruit :p

  81. My favorites from NatureBox are the chocolate banana chips and the dark chocolate berry trail mix!!!

  82. Yesssssss! Probiotic Power Mix, obviously, and Dark Cocoa Almonds!!

    AND I’m ordering some of the Aloha mix before I travel to Honduras in July….have you tried the Greens powder and/or flavored other than berry???

  83. I would love to try the CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT GRANOLA and the DOUBLE BERRY FRUIT PEELS. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin
    ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com

  84. A few more austin things
    Cenote is a cut house restaurant on Cesar Chavez that sells bottled Kombucha made in Austin, also connected to it is ju ju juice where you can get some good green juice.
    A fancy bar to hang out at is the Driskill it may be a hotel but it’s not touristy. Locals enjoy their bakery and bar all the time. Our company Christmas party always starts the night out at the Driskill bar because it seems fancy. Epicerie is a neat little place to eat. And then not healthy but probably THE BEST is Gourdoughs. They are famous for their amazing uh may zing donuts but they also have other food and a bar. The one on 5th street is so neat. I’d definitely go there.

  85. Oh my, my mouth is watering now. The Big Island Pineapple Rings & Sweet and Salty nut mix sound delicious. Thanks for the giveaway!

  86. I love this! My husband and I try to do picnics for our anniversary each year with wine and a fancy dessert, and our dog, of course! So fun!

  87. First of all- I’m OBSESSING over your adorable picnic! You’ve inspired me for how to celebrate my (4 year– omg right) anniversary with the boyf this weekend 🙂 also– this would legit be a dream come true to win omg I’ve been obsessed with your blog for a while and wish more than anything I had enough $$$ to buy your guide and book!! And I’ve heard of NatureBox before but also was not an option cause of my broke college budget- lol. Literally would die of happiness if I won <3 would LOVE to try the dried pineapple and truffle popcorn (if Michael likes it I bet my babe would too) 🙂 love your work! xx- Sari

  88. I would love to try the JALAPENO WHITE CHEDDAR POPCORN, or the SOURDOUGH CHEDDAR PRETZELS. I’m in a savory mood right now. 🙂

  89. Hi there! The blueberry almonds and the peanut butter nom noms look delicious! My mouth just watered. I should eat a snack…

    Have a great day!

  90. I’m so happy that you’re promoting NatureBox – I bought a subscription for my mom for Mother’s Day, and she’s loving it. Sadly couldn’t afford to buy one for myself… 🙂

    I’d love to try the Garlic Plaintain Chips (have a soft spot for great Puerto Rican food…) and the Parmesan Garlic Pop Pops! I’ve never seen a half-popped popcorn before, but it looks delicious.

    Awesome to see you align yourself with such amazing brands!

  91. I would love to try the sweet blueberry almonds and the sea salt sun crunch. I’m vegan so I LOVE that you can refine snacks by dietary preference.

  92. Wow, NatureBox sounds like a perfect alternative to airline food for my travels! Eating poorly can definitely contribute to jet lag, and NatureBox can help this! Big island pineapple and sweet blueberry almonds look delicious!

  93. I had a subscription to Nature Box quite a while back, but canceled it for some reason. I have no idea why because I loved it! If I had to pick just two, I think my favorite snacks would have been the Big Island Pineapple and the Salted Caramel Pretzel Pops!

  94. Dried Mango and Probiotic Power Mix would be my pick.. for the first time around… I would probably wind up getting everything at some point because it all looks uh ma zing!

  95. I won’t lie…I’m all about the sweets! Dark cocoa almonds and Greek yogurt pretzels for me!

  96. i am obsessed with popcorn- so jalapeno white cheddar popcorn would have to be something i tried and salt & pepper pistachios..

  97. How about, the chocolate hazelnut granola.. and the coffee kettle popcorn. Your hair looks amazing at the picnic!!
    Hope you enjoyed your “pinto grigio” 😉

  98. Um so many options! But definitely CHOCOLATE CHIA GRANOLA And chocolate banana chips look super yummy.

  99. I’d go for the sriracha cashews – because I <3 spice! & the guacamole bites because guac = heaven!! And they would taste amazeballs with a glass (or bottle haha) of chilled Oyster Bay Sauvignion Blanc

  100. Hello,

    First off, I love your blog so much! I make the lemony salmon in your book all of the time! I also love your workout guide. its amazing! My favorite snacks are the dried fuji apples and the dried granny smith apples. really wish I could have come to your girls blow out day..hope you do another event soon.

    thanks for all the inspiration,
    M

  101. I’m a popcorn freak so the parmesan garlic pop sounds delicious! the Fruit peel also would be a great gummy snack (much better than the gummy bear addiction :))

  102. i would love to try the TART & TANGY FRUIT MEDLEY and the PRALINE PUMPKIN SEEDS!

    nice pictures Lauryn, really looks like it was a fun time with your little fam 🙂

  103. I would love to try the lemon tea cookies and the vanilla almond granola. It all looks so good!!!

  104. Oh goodness, apple oat clusters and the yogurt covered pretzels sound amazing! Nothing better than healthy snacks delivered right to you!!

  105. I’m just learning to eat cleaner and healthier, and that a little meal prep goes a long way. This win would be huuge for me! I’d for sure try the ASIAGO & CHEDDAR CHEESE CRISPS for crunch and the CHOCOLATE BANANA CHIPS for a safer sweet kick

  106. When the weather gets nice, I go a little picnic crazy too! Snack wise, the honey dijon pretzels and the strawberry lemonade fruit stars look unreal 🙂