Bunchlander Amanda recently took her family to the Jersey Shore, a spot she’s been vacationing at since her teens, and says it’s nothing like you probably think. If you’ve seen a episode of the hit TV “reality” series Jersey Shore, you’re probably imagining a tacky wasteland, home to spray-tanned “guidos” and “guidettes” who enjoy “fist pumping” at the clubs. (We like the kiddie parody above.) If you’ve ever seen a movie or TV show that referenced “Joisey,” the common stereotype is that it’s a dump no one would ever want to visit, let alone live in. (There’s even a website devoted to changing people’s perceptions of “Dirty Jersey”: JerseyDoesntStink.com.) Read more...
Start a family drinking tradition with cocktail and mocktail recipes straight from the Draper’s bar
All of us at Bunchland HQ are jazzed for the Mad Men season four premiere this Sunday. We love the series for the glamorous vintage fashions and whip-smart writing. However, we’re perfectly happy to live in a time when excessive drinking and smoking are no longer cool and kids don’t go running around with dry cleaning bags on their heads.
Cocktail hour, on the other hand, is a tradition we’d love to revive. Not just for the boozy aspect but because taking pause at the end of a hard day of work or play and sipping something cool is delightful. However, mixing and sipping drinks doesn’t have to be an adults-only affair – some of the toniest bars in the world mix mocktails so mean you won’t even miss the alcohol. Read more...
Last week we gave you all the tools for hosting an outdoor movie night in your backyard. This week at Camp Bunchland, it’s all about gathering the family in the backyard and toasting your toes (and some s’mores) by a campfire. Imagine coming home from work, loosening your tie and then sitting around a crackling fire in your own backyards.
Fire it up
First things first, check into backyard campfire laws in your city. Chances are to keep things nice and legal (not to mention safe) you’ll need to purchase a fire pit. Here are some we like:
Tips for hosting the ultimate outdoor movie night in your own backyard
Want to snuggle up with some blankets on the grass and watch your family’s favourite old movies on a glowing screen under a blanket of stars? Blogger Eren of Virginia says with some easy planning, you can host outdoor movie screenings in your backyard.
“We’re very low-tech,” Eren laughs. She says her husband selected their projector, an Epson MovieMate 55 LCD (“He’s the gadget guy!”), but thinks kids could care less about pixels and picture quality. “It’s just fun for them to watch a movie outside. You don’t have to spend $2,000 on a projector.” (We looked around online and found projectors starting at $85, like this one.) Their screen is a simple white sheet outfitted with grommets and hung on nails hammered into their fence. Read more...
How to make gourmet frozen pops using seasonal fruit and herbs
Gourmet ice pops made from fresh, seasonal fruit and herb combinations
We’d bet money you’ve spent at least one hot summer day sitting on your front stoop licking that corner store favourite, the classic Popsicle. You peeled back the white paper wrapper and proceeded to get sticky hands from melted Popsicle juice.
Nathalie, one of the brains behind the New York-based People’s Pops, fondly remembers that childhood treat and wanted to offer a bite of nostalgia to Brooklynites, but with a twist: their pops are a vehicle for fresh, delicious seasonal fruits and herbs, on a stick.
Nathalie joined forces with her high school prom date and his roommate, and the three got to work making batches of frozen pops to be sold at a local market. The results showcased gourmet combinations like Strawberries and Cream, Blue Velvet (blueberries, yogurt and honey) and Rhubarbalicious. Their products sold out out fast, and eventually the friends quit their jobs and opened a little shop.
Let it be resolved that this summer will be the best summer of your life. An epic, legendary summer that your kids tell their own kids about. If this sounds like something you can get behind, all you have to do is commit to having the most fun every day this summer, from 5 pm on during the week and all day on the weekend. Sound good? Great! Your family is now officially enrolled in Camp Bunchland, our fictional camp that your family can visit every day this summer.
So what is Camp Bunchland all about, anyway? Camp Bunchland is the go-to imaginary camp for summer fun. Recipes for gourmet mess hall food, s’mores and frozen treats from celebrated chefs, activity and craft ideas from the coolest summer camps in the world, virtual trips to the best beachside towns with the best saltwater taffy, making s’mores in your backyard, having picnics on your deck, eating ice cream in the park, building sandcastles, iced tea, cabin pranks, campfire songs. This is all coming at you over the next two months. Read more...
