Spicy Picnicin’

I am a lucky lucky girl. It’s not everyday that I get to partner up with one of my favorite stores and show you what makes them so special. I mean, I am a serious lover of World Market, and I have the instagrams to prove it.

It’s not possible to shop in World Market’s Gourmet Food Department and massive wine selection and not get inspired to create something special. Not possible I tell ya! I have a dinner to-do list that does not include anything boring after strolling these aisles. Everything is grouped by origin or category so it couldn’t be much simpler to add some unique flavor from around the globe to you meals. Seriously. You’ll be the hippest dinner table on the block. Instagram those dinners, you’ll be cool, I promise.

Thirsty yet? Good! If you have people to impress (or you really just want to look like you know what you are doing) head over to World Market to get everything you need. The staff is so helpful and you will easily be selecting delicious wines and their perfect counterparts so quickly that you WILL feel like you know what you are doing! It is almost impossible to screw it up.

I have been inspired  to soak in the last few breaths of a winding down of summer lately, and what better way then to lounge outside and eat!  The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes has a grand prize trip to Sante Fe,  and it got me thinking about southwest yumminess so I decided to pick up a few bottles of wine and some delicious treats and have one last picnic of this season, and to make it a spicy one!

I picked up everything I needed for a fun little picnic at World Market. A great bottle of Pinot Grigio and A Cabernet (along with a few fun size mini bottles, just in case…) I paired up the white with some yummy Mango Key Lime Salsa and Lime Sea Salt Tortilla chips,  a spicy jalapeño cheese and chorizo, and about died and went to heaven over the Caramel Cheesecake cookies. Seriously, just get them.

To go with the red, we had a tasty summer sausage and tomato basil cheese…and LOTS of chocolate! Have you ever had the Lacys?? So amazing, but honestly the dark chocolate with Chipotle Chili Chocolate bar was perfect. Sound weird? It is so yummy and went awesome with the wine. You might think spicier flavors are best served with a margarita, but listen we can still keep it classy when we want to. These combos were both fun and tasty and let’s face it, I looked like a rockstar wife.

So grab a blanket and a basket, a few bottles of wine and any snacks that sound tasty! You don’t have to be a sommelier or a chef to create a fun and pretty spread. Decide what sounds good to you and go with what you like. World Market makes it easier than easy. Want to get to know them better?

Check out  their Facebook, follow them on Twitter, or Google+ and see what’s catching their attention on Pinterest

and!

Why not head over and enter the amazing Gourmet Getaway Giveaway? It might be a little more fun then a picnic.

**Grand Prize package includes:

• A trip for two to to Santa Fe, New Mexico (this is a 5 day Trip for 2 to Santa Fe which includes airfare and hotel)
• Hands on Southwestern Cooking class with Master Chef
• Personally signed glossy cookbook
• Multi-course dinner at the acclaimed Geronimo
• Southwestern Foodie Tour with a cultural kick
• A $1,000 World Market gift card

** There will also be 3 runner up prize winners that will each receive a $500 World Market gift card!

**The Gourmet Getaway Sweepstakes runs from August 18, 2012 until September 21, 2012.

**If you share the sweepstakes with 5 of your friends (via FB share or email) you can receive 5 additional bonus entries. This is part of the registration process when entering. Users can also enter daily for more chances to win.

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but my gushy opinions are my own.