basket

As easy as it is to picture the Rafe St. Kitts Straw Basket being carried during a stroll along the boardwalk on a lazy summer afternoon or through a seaside market on a crisp morning, the bag is basically limited to those uses. Take it away from the slightly touristy, summer-house atmosphere of many mainland beaches and just-slightly-offshore islands, and you are left with something that, while cute, looks like a souvenir. The basket is woven with natural wheat straw and has a dark brown deerskin trim and top tab closure. Bamboo handles give it a tropical touch and the seaside look is completed with a net overlay covered with nautical charms and shells. It measures 5"H x 9"W x 2 3/4"D. Price: $300.

Not a fire pit, but a fire basket, the stainless steel Atrio will keep your patio warm on cold fall evenings when you still want to spend some time outdoors. The basket is designed to be raised up off the ground and have a more modern look than most above-ground fire pits. It is 21.25" across and 11.81" tall, which allows it to contain a fire large enough to warm an outdoor sitting area or just hold a few flames for toasting marshmallows. Price: $610.

[via BLTD]

Picnics are supposed to take place on warm spring or summer days, when you can relax in the shade and escape from the sun's rays. The Carnival Midnight Picnic Basket looks like it's meant to be used at night, though. The basket includes 4 plates, insulated food and bottle coolers, stainless steel cutlery and glasses for four, a glass serving tray, napkins and a corkscrew. Every piece, including the basket itself, is in a shade of grey or black, making it a good choice for a midnight snack or taking to an outdoor show, where you don't want your dishes catching the lights and distracting those around you. Price: $109.95 (sale).

[via Cribcandy]

It's hard to say exactly what the Kate Spade Santa Margherita Box Basket is and, judging from its name, the designers were reluctant to pin it down, as well. To my eye, it looks like a picnic basket. It is, in fact, made of wicker and has the turnlock latch that is so commonly found on picnic baskets.  The purse comes in black or white, though both have gold leather handles and a closure, as well as golf hardware, even if the contrast isn't as obvious in the photo of the white bag here. It has one zip interior pocket and a fabric lining. Price: $295.